Longtime lurker here, I'm a remote worker and It's a a smaller city city with about 28,128 people. With a population of 28,128, Allen Park is a smaller city. Poverty rate is 3.8%, which is pretty low. The unemployment rate is 3.2%, which is pretty low. Property taxes are high but you get good services. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The suburbs are where most families end up. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. It's not perfect, but the community is solid.
27 upvotes
27 Replies
Violet S.
I've been living here for 15 years and I'd say it's been a really good experience overall. The food scene is hit or miss compared to other places I've lived. Overall Happy to answer more specific questions..
39 upvotes
Jacob Cox
I'm a real estate agent and I've found I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The community is average and there's always something going on.
35 upvotes
Leonardo Jones
Hot take but it exceeded my expectations. I know a lot of people disagree but after 8 years here, that's my honest assessment.
35 upvotes
Nevaeh
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's exactly what I was looking for. Internet is solid in most areas.
32 upvotes
Noah Myers
I've lived in Highland for about 15 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's improved dramatically in recent years. When I first moved here from Chicago, I was surprised by school system. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good healthcare facilities
- Affordable housing options
- The cost of living scene is decent
The downsides:
- Limited public transit options
- Homeless population growing downtown
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for families. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
31 upvotes
Leo D.
it depends on the neighborhood
28 upvotes
Clara
yep
27 upvotes
Sarah Patel
interesting, hadn't considered that
26 upvotes
Zoe Diaz
been saying this for years
26 upvotes
Samuel Diaz
We moved here with our family and it's been a really good experience overall. Schools in Westside area are tough. Kids love it here.
24 upvotes
Jace Walker
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Westside for 13 years. Moved from San Diego for family. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is average. We bought in 2024 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:**
construction is strong here. marketing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are reasonable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's improved dramatically in recent years. The outdoor scene is excellent - 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. Westside schools are surprisingly 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. Not very walkable outside downtown. Chain restaurants dominate. And outdoor recreation can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 6/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
24 upvotes
Evan Reyes
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are challenging, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
22 upvotes
grace_kid
noted, appreciate it
22 upvotes
Julian Evans
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem solid.
I've been here 8 years and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The thing nobody mentions is housing market. It's competitive and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the housing market is legit. And if you're into photography, this place is hit or miss.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The The Heights side vs the West side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Definitely worth checking out..
21 upvotes
Landon Watson
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem excellent.
I've been here 5 years and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The thing nobody mentions is food scene. It's reasonable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the traffic is legit. And if you're into rock climbing, this place is tough.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Oak Park side vs the Eastside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
21 upvotes
Emmett Martin
big facts right here
16 upvotes
Audrey Edwards
literally same
13 upvotes
Nora Rogers
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are excellent, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
12 upvotes
Levi Lopez
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a software engineer who relocated here from Phoenix about 6 years ago. The main reasons were work and family.
Pros I've experienced:
- Lots of new development happening
- Good internet infrastructure
- Close to major attractions
Cons that are real:
- Winters are long and cold
- Rising rent and home prices
Financially, we've found it better than expected compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are established, gas is improving.
Socially, I'm still on the fence after all this time. Good luck with whatever you decide..
11 upvotes
true_grace48
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in North for 3 years. Moved from San Diego for family. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is underrated. We bought in 2015 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
retail is strong here. engineering is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are growing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I'm still on the fence after all this time. The outdoor scene is improving - we have state parks within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. North 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. Not a lot of cultural diversity. Can feel isolated. And outdoor recreation can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 9/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
10 upvotes
oaklandnative2020
Public transit is decent here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's exactly what I was looking for.
10 upvotes
tulsa_jeremiah
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is weather. the quality of life is solid. Worth doing your research before committing.
10 upvotes
Benjamin Alvarez
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 15 years ago from Dallas and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Lakewood. It's pretty good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in retail. If you're in construction you might struggle.
People: Generally challenging. It took about 7 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like Indian.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
7 upvotes
Lillian Lewis
Came here for quality of life and stayed because I genuinely enjoy living here. The school system is honestly decent and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
6 upvotes
Nolan
Public transit is underrated here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it was the best decision I ever made.
6 upvotes
Evelyn Green
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Greenfield for 12 years. Moved from Portland for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is average. We bought in 2022 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
tech is strong here. real estate is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are developing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I'm still on the fence after all this time. The outdoor scene is average - we have ski resorts within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Greenfield schools are hit or miss. 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. Bugs and humidity in summer. Far from beaches/mountains. And traffic can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 7/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
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