It's a a mid-size city city with about 121K people. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Am I overthinking this? Any help is appreciated. It's not perfect, but the community is solid.
26 upvotes
20 Replies
Madeline Cruz
As someone who grew up here, it's exactly what I was looking for. A lot has changed in the past few years though. weather used to be much established but now it's average.
39 upvotes
Isaac Cox
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value walkability, you'll love it. The public transit is genuinely average and I've found it's improved dramatically in recent years. My neighborhood (Old Town) is reasonable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Portland, 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.
39 upvotes
columbuswalker2021
same here
33 upvotes
Scarlett Smith
Totally agree!
33 upvotes
Hazel Torres
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are pretty good, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
31 upvotes
Connor W.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Downtown for 10 years. Moved from Tampa for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is average. We bought in 2022 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
real estate is strong here. retail is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are affordable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The outdoor scene is tough - 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. Downtown schools are challenging. 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. Road conditions need improvement. And outdoor recreation can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, 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.
30 upvotes
Alice M.
My experience has been mostly positive. it exceeded my expectations. The only thing I'd watch out for is cost of living. Other than that, Hope this helps!.
27 upvotes
Samuel J.
I've lived in Highland for about 3 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's not perfect but it works for me. When I first moved here from Seattle, I was surprised by job market. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- The dating scene scene is hit or miss
The downsides:
- Can feel isolated
- Limited entertainment options
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for singles. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
26 upvotes
Audrey T.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 5 years ago from LA 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 Oak Park. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in healthcare. If you're in consulting you might struggle.
People: Generally challenging. It took about 4 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: excellent. Tons of options if you like Indian.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
23 upvotes
Aiden Parker
Hot take but I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. I know a lot of people disagree but after 4 years here, that's my honest assessment.
22 upvotes
Autumn Ruiz
Hot take but I genuinely enjoy living here. I know a lot of people disagree but after 5 years here, that's my honest assessment.
20 upvotes
Hannah Young
I work in government here and I love the pace of life here. The job market for my field is average. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
19 upvotes
Harper
lol so true
15 upvotes
Easton Thompson
We moved here with our family and it's exactly what I was looking for. Schools in Highland area are tough. Kids love it here.
10 upvotes
Adrian Nelson
same here
9 upvotes
Jameson
The food scene here is surprisingly good. Tons of great Mexican places. it's exactly what I was looking for.
2 upvotes
Elijah Smith
I've lived in Old Town for about 7 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I genuinely enjoy living here. When I first moved here from Austin, I was surprised by cost of living. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good schools in most areas
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- The nightlife scene is challenging
The downsides:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for retirees. Good luck with whatever you decide..
1 upvotes
Vivian Davis
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is public transit. I have mixed feelings honestly. Worth doing your research before committing.
1 upvotes
Aurora Gray
Totally agree!
1 upvotes
Ellie
My experience has been mostly positive. the quality of life is solid. The only thing I'd watch out for is traffic. Other than that, Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
All Countries
