Curious what people think. Poverty rate is 7.4%, which is pretty low. Homes are going for about $673,400 on average. The unemployment rate is 2.7%, which is pretty low. Crime rate is something to consider -Atascadero sits at 212.6 per 100K. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Would love some local perspective. TIA! There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The suburbs are where most families end up. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The suburbs are where most families end up. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. The suburbs are where most families end up. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse.
23 upvotes
28 Replies
Lucy G.
I've lived in Highland 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 Baltimore, I was surprised by public transit. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good healthcare facilities
- Good internet infrastructure
- The public transit scene is tough
The downsides:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for families. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
36 upvotes
Liam Robinson
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Pine Hills for 7 years. Moved from San Francisco for family. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is decent. We bought in 2024 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. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
healthcare is strong here. legal 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:**
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The outdoor scene is decent - 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. Pine Hills schools are decent. 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. Urban sprawl is real. Road conditions need improvement. And outdoor recreation can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 7/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
34 upvotes
Savannah Garcia
Public transit is improving here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I'm still on the fence after all this time.
33 upvotes
Carson Roberts
We moved here with our family and it was the best decision I ever made. Schools in Pine Hills area are average. Kids love it here.
33 upvotes
Wesley Castillo
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 4-bedroom. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Compared to Chicago it's decent.
32 upvotes
Naomi Thomas
following this thread
31 upvotes
Zoe
Public transit is underrated here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now.
30 upvotes
Sean G.
glad someone said it
29 upvotes
Robert Perez
hmm interesting perspective
28 upvotes
Paisley W.
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are surprisingly good, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
24 upvotes
Maya P.
yep
21 upvotes
Lucy James
couldn't agree more
20 upvotes
Zachary K.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a physical therapist, 57, moved here 6 years ago from Phoenix. I've lived in Riverside and Midtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Decent public transit for the size
2. Active local events and festivals
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. Nightlife is limited
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The cultural scene situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Riverside: Great for retirees. challenging vibes, walkable.
- Midtown: 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 Phoenix, everything felt excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $90K-$150K here.
**Final verdict:**
Happy to answer more specific 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.
18 upvotes
Weston Cook
I work in government here and I love the pace of life here. The job market for my field is pretty good. Hope this helps!.
16 upvotes
phoenix_autumn
underrated comment
15 upvotes
Charles W.
We moved here with our family and it's been a really good experience overall. Schools in Sunset area are tough. Kids love it here.
12 upvotes
Mia Wilson
couldn't agree more
12 upvotes
Wyatt N.
facts
11 upvotes
Bruce P.
Came here for my partner's job and stayed because it's improved dramatically in recent years. The pet-friendliness is honestly surprisingly good and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
11 upvotes
Arianna
bump
9 upvotes
Addison
Hot take but I'm still on the fence after all this time. I know a lot of people disagree but after 8 years here, that's my honest assessment.
9 upvotes
Levi Rivera
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a contractor, 45, moved here 11 years ago from Denver. I've lived in Fairview and Midtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Affordable housing options
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Road conditions need improvement
2. Can feel isolated
3. The job market situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Fairview: Great for families. underrated vibes, walkable.
- Midtown: 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 Denver, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $70K-$80K here.
**Final verdict:**
It's not for everyone but it works for us.. 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.
7 upvotes
Leo Sanders
hmm interesting perspective
6 upvotes
Vivian Ramos
glad someone said it
6 upvotes
Carter H.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Meadowbrook for 5 years. Moved from Pittsburgh for family. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is pretty good. We bought in 2018 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
education is strong here. construction 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:**
I love the pace of life here. The outdoor scene is pretty good - we have hiking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Meadowbrook schools are better than expected. 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. Traffic during rush hour is rough. Winters are long and cold. And pet-friendliness can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 9/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
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