Homes are going for about $283,700 on average. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Thoughts? Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The weather takes some getting used to. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that.
30 upvotes
28 Replies
Jace Rogers
I work in tech here and I genuinely enjoy living here. The job market for my field is hit or miss. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
40 upvotes
Lillian Young
I work in government here and it's not perfect but it works for me. The job market for my field is hit or miss. Hope this helps!.
39 upvotes
Nicholas Garcia
great question, following
39 upvotes
Silas Lewis
it depends on the neighborhood
38 upvotes
Paisley Stewart
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 2 years ago from Minneapolis and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Springfield. It's tough for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in retail. If you're in government you might struggle.
People: Generally pretty good. It took about 11 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: challenging. Tons of options if you like craft beer.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
34 upvotes
Ellie Roberts
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value school system, you'll love it. The safety is genuinely pretty good and I've found it's exactly what I was looking for. My neighborhood (West) is pricey and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from New York, be prepared for the culture shock. healthcare is completely different here. And Summers can be brutally hot.
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.
32 upvotes
Gabriella Young
noted, appreciate it
31 upvotes
Carter Kelly
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
Autumn
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value job market, you'll love it. The traffic is genuinely tough and I've found it's improved dramatically in recent years. My neighborhood (Sunset) is established and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Atlanta, be prepared for the culture shock. cost of living is completely different here. And Winters are long and cold.
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.
30 upvotes
Gabriella Hernandez
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 4-bedroom. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Compared to San Diego it's surprisingly good.
29 upvotes
milwaukeemind2025
yep
28 upvotes
Madeline
I've lived in Old Town for about 9 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it was the best decision I ever made. 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:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Strong job market in several industries
- The cultural scene scene is underrated
The downsides:
- Limited shopping options
- Dating scene is rough
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for retirees. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
22 upvotes
Luca Watson
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a social worker, 30, moved here 7 years ago from Boston. I've lived in East and South, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good healthcare facilities
2. Close to major attractions
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Urban sprawl is real
2. Not very walkable outside downtown
3. The weather situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- East: Great for retirees. decent vibes, walkable.
- South: 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 Boston, everything felt improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $90K-$70K here.
**Final verdict:**
Hope this helps!. 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.
17 upvotes
Mia Hernandez
facts
16 upvotes
Chloe Jones
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Highland for 13 years. Moved from Portland for family. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is surprisingly good. We bought in 2021 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:**
retail is strong here. real estate is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are wild for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it was the best decision I ever made. The outdoor scene is better than expected - 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. Highland 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. Not a lot of cultural diversity. Limited entertainment options. And food scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 7/10. It's not for everyone but it works for us.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
16 upvotes
Maya Young
My experience has been mostly positive. it's not perfect but it works for me. The only thing I'd watch out for is walkability. Other than that, No regrets on my end..
13 upvotes
Chloe T.
exactly what I was thinking
13 upvotes
Abigail Nelson
this is the way
12 upvotes
Philip M.
My experience has been mostly positive. it was the best decision I ever made. The only thing I'd watch out for is community vibe. Other than that, Hope this helps!.
12 upvotes
Madeline Lee
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I love the pace of life here. Internet is pretty good in most areas.
11 upvotes
Luna Robinson
preach
9 upvotes
Aubrey Adams
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is job market. it's been a really good experience overall. Worth doing your research before committing.
9 upvotes
John R.
Moved here from Seattle about 5 years ago. it's been a really good experience overall. Still getting used to food scene but Happy to answer more specific questions..
5 upvotes
Piper James
literally same
5 upvotes
Jayden Ramirez
I've lived in Riverside for about 11 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it exceeded my expectations. When I first moved here from Minneapolis, I was surprised by cultural scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Good schools in most areas
- The job market scene is surprisingly good
The downsides:
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
- Can feel isolated
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for singles. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
4 upvotes
Adrian Morris
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a teacher who relocated here from Dallas about 6 years ago. The main reasons were work and quality of life.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Diverse dining options
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Can feel isolated
Financially, we've found it tough compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are manageable, gas is underrated.
Socially, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
4 upvotes
Amelia Green
preach
3 upvotes
Audrey Evans
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 4-bedroom. it's been a really good experience overall. Compared to New York it's solid.
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