So, Homes are going for about $468,200 on average.
30 upvotes
17 Replies
Kinsley R.
wish I knew this sooner
39 upvotes
Randy S.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a writer, 44, moved here 1 years ago from Salt Lake City. I've lived in The Heights and Cedar Grove, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Good schools in most areas
3. Close to major attractions
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Not very walkable outside downtown
3. The school system situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- The Heights: Great for young professionals. underrated vibes, walkable.
- Cedar Grove: More affordable, family-friendly.
**Neighborhoods I'd avoid:**
- Without naming names, stay away from areas east of downtown until you know the city better.
**Cost comparison:**
Coming from Salt Lake City, everything felt underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $40K-$70K here.
**Final verdict:**
Feel free to reach out with questions.. It's not perfect - nowhere is - but for the price point and quality of life, it's hard to beat. DM me if you have specific questions.
34 upvotes
Gianna Clark
We moved here with our family and it was the best decision I ever made. Schools in Lakewood area are surprisingly good. Kids love it here.
33 upvotes
Jeremiah Miller
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a contractor who relocated here from Chicago about 14 years ago. The main reasons were a job opportunity and cost of living.
Pros I've experienced:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Good healthcare facilities
- Good internet infrastructure
Cons that are real:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Homeless population growing downtown
Financially, we've found it improving compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are growing, gas is surprisingly good.
Socially, I love the pace of life here. Good luck with whatever you decide..
32 upvotes
Melanie Richardson
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a accountant who relocated here from Baltimore about 9 years ago. The main reasons were school and weather.
Pros I've experienced:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Strong job market in several industries
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Limited shopping options
- Homeless population growing downtown
Financially, we've found it surprisingly good compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are established, gas is decent.
Socially, it's exactly what I was looking for. Good luck with whatever you decide..
31 upvotes
Jonathan Diaz
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a electrician, 35, moved here 9 years ago from Salt Lake City. I've lived in Meadowbrook and Sunset, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Diverse dining options
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Urban sprawl is real
2. Not a lot of cultural diversity
3. The housing market situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Meadowbrook: Great for couples. underrated vibes, walkable.
- Sunset: More affordable, family-friendly.
**Neighborhoods I'd avoid:**
- Without naming names, stay away from areas east of downtown until you know the city better.
**Cost comparison:**
Coming from Salt Lake City, everything felt solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $50K-$80K here.
**Final verdict:**
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. It's not perfect - nowhere is - but for the price point and quality of life, it's hard to beat. DM me if you have specific questions.
31 upvotes
Christopher N.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Highland for 7 years. Moved from Baltimore for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is pretty good. We bought in 2022 at k and it's now worth up significantly 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:**
healthcare is strong here. engineering is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are pricey for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I'm still on the fence after all this time. 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. Highland schools are excellent. 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. Property taxes are high. Can feel isolated. And job market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 5/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
25 upvotes
Melanie Morgan
Bought a house here in 2022 and I genuinely enjoy living here. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
24 upvotes
Leonardo Baker
this is the way
23 upvotes
Maverick Richardson
My experience has been mostly positive. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The only thing I'd watch out for is cost of living. Other than that, Would recommend to anyone considering it..
14 upvotes
Declan
couldn't agree more
13 upvotes
mountain_olivia38
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 8 years ago from Portland and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Riverside. It's surprisingly good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in finance. If you're in construction you might struggle.
People: Generally tough. It took about 18 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: tough. Tons of options if you like Mexican.
Definitely worth checking out..
13 upvotes
Brielle R.
spot on
13 upvotes
Ella Clark
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are excellent, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
6 upvotes
Mateo James
nah I disagree
2 upvotes
Benjamin Clark
facts
2 upvotes
evan_mind
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a electrician, 40, moved here 10 years ago from San Diego. I've lived in Springfield and The Heights, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good healthcare facilities
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Lots of new development happening
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not a lot of cultural diversity
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The job market situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Springfield: Great for singles. improving vibes, walkable.
- The Heights: More affordable, family-friendly.
**Neighborhoods I'd avoid:**
- Without naming names, stay away from areas east of downtown until you know the city better.
**Cost comparison:**
Coming from San Diego, everything felt challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $50K-$90K here.
**Final verdict:**
Feel free to reach out with questions.. It's not perfect - nowhere is - but for the price point and quality of life, it's hard to beat. DM me if you have specific questions.