I relocated for work and Median household income is $69,837, which feels about average for the area. Crime rate is something to consider -Aiken sits at 575.6 per 100K. It's a a smaller city city with about 32,334 people. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting.
Pros:
- Great weather
- Growing food scene
- Close to nature
- Low taxes
- Good internet infrastructure
Cons:
- Traffic can be terrible
- Poor road conditions
- Chain restaurants dominate
What neighborhoods would you suggest? Any help is appreciated. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. The weather takes some getting used to. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The weather takes some getting used to. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting.
1 upvotes
7 Replies
chill_connor1
The food scene here is pretty good. Tons of great Asian places. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
36 upvotes
Jacob Martinez
Used to live on the Old Town side, now on the Fairview side. Completely different vibe. I have mixed feelings honestly.
30 upvotes
Maverick Cox
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value cost of living, you'll love it. The cost of living is genuinely average and I've found it was the best decision I ever made. My neighborhood (Old Town) is manageable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Baltimore, be prepared for the culture shock. weather is completely different here. And Limited public transit options.
My advice would be to visit for at least a week before committing. Rent first, don't buy. And explore multiple neighborhoods - they're all different.
28 upvotes
Benjamin White
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Highland for 10 years. Moved from Boston for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is better than expected. We bought in 2015 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
government is strong here. government is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are established for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I genuinely enjoy living here. The outdoor scene is pretty good - we have rivers within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Highland schools are average. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.
**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Rising rent and home prices. Limited entertainment options. And public transit can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 6/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
25 upvotes
kai_soul
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 11 years ago from Chicago and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Greenfield. It's surprisingly good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is manageable right now, especially in construction. If you're in real estate you might struggle.
People: Generally average. It took about 11 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like Asian.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
23 upvotes
Peyton A.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in East for 6 years. Moved from Portland for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is better than expected. We bought in 2019 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
construction is strong here. construction is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are established for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I genuinely enjoy living here. The outdoor scene is average - we have mountains within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. East schools are pretty good. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.
**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Limited public transit options. Not very walkable outside downtown. And school system can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 7/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
12 upvotes
Quinn Lopez
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value walkability, you'll love it. The dating scene is genuinely solid and I've found I love the pace of life here. My neighborhood (Springfield) is manageable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Tampa, be prepared for the culture shock. food scene is completely different here. And Urban sprawl is real.
My advice would be to visit for at least a week before committing. Rent first, don't buy. And explore multiple neighborhoods - they're all different.
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