Anyone else feel this way? I'm originally from Pittsburgh and The median home value here is around $130,200, which is actually reasonable. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The city has invested a lot in new development.
0 upvotes
12 Replies
William Jones
big facts right here
27 upvotes
Christian Kim
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 13 years. Moved from Portland for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is average. We bought in 2021 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. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
manufacturing is strong here. government 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 love the pace of life here. The outdoor scene is decent - 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. Pine Hills schools are improving. 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. Far from beaches/mountains. And healthcare can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 6/10. Hope this helps!. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
27 upvotes
Robert Lopez
spot on
25 upvotes
dallaswalker2026
I'm a software engineer and I've found it's improved dramatically in recent years. The community is challenging and there's always something going on.
25 upvotes
Alice Rogers
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in The Heights for 7 years. Moved from Pittsburgh for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is underrated. We bought in 2019 at k and it's now worth up significantly 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:**
marketing is strong here. tech 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 exactly what I was looking for. The outdoor scene is underrated - 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. The Heights 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. Chain restaurants dominate. Road conditions need improvement. And nightlife can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 8/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
24 upvotes
Zoe
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 7 years ago from Austin and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in The Heights. It's decent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in government. If you're in consulting you might struggle.
People: Generally underrated. It took about 12 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: challenging. Tons of options if you like craft beer.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
21 upvotes
Olivia Brown
+1
18 upvotes
Leah A.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem excellent.
I've been here 14 years and it was the best decision I ever made. The thing nobody mentions is healthcare. It's competitive and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the school system is legit. And if you're into kayaking, this place is underrated.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Pine Hills side vs the Westside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
16 upvotes
Carson M.
I've lived in Westside for about 12 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. When I first moved here from Austin, I was surprised by pet-friendliness. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Decent public transit for the size
- The nightlife scene is hit or miss
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for singles. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
13 upvotes
Isabella Collins
Weather-wise, the summers are underrated and winters are wild. You get used to it after the first year.
11 upvotes
Angel Price
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in The Heights for 1 years. Moved from Seattle for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is better than expected. We bought in 2021 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
construction is strong here. government 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:**
I genuinely enjoy living here. The outdoor scene is average - we have national forests within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. The Heights schools are tough. 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 school system can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 6/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
8 upvotes
Stella Thompson
My experience has been mostly positive. it's exactly what I was looking for. The only thing I'd watch out for is safety. Other than that, Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..