I've been here for 2 years and Household incomes average around $63,945 in Atwater. Poverty rate is 17.9%, which is higher than I expected. Average temperature is around 62--F, so the weather is moderate. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Has anyone dealt with this? Property taxes are high but you get good services. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus.
16 upvotes
10 Replies
Roy F.
big facts right here
40 upvotes
Lydia Chavez
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Highland for 3 years. Moved from San Francisco for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is surprisingly good. We bought in 2019 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
marketing is strong here. construction 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 improved dramatically in recent years. The outdoor scene is excellent - 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. Highland schools are underrated. 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. Not a lot of cultural diversity. And walkability can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 6/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
38 upvotes
Leonardo Scott
couldn't agree more
22 upvotes
Natalie Cook
+1
22 upvotes
Jayden Phillips
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 6 years. Moved from Minneapolis for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is challenging. We bought in 2020 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
government is strong here. marketing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are stable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's not perfect but it works for me. The outdoor scene is excellent - we have desert landscapes 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. Can feel isolated. Homeless population growing downtown. And nightlife can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 7/10. Definitely worth checking out.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
16 upvotes
Bennett Martin
Public transit is average here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's not perfect but it works for me.
14 upvotes
Sebastian P.
same here
14 upvotes
Theodore Reed
The food scene here is underrated. Tons of great Mexican places. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
11 upvotes
Leonardo P.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want outdoor recreation, then yeah this place is great. But if traffic matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
6 upvotes
Amy S.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a sales manager who relocated here from Pittsburgh about 9 years ago. The main reasons were retirement and cost of living.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Nightlife is limited
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Financially, we've found it decent compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are reasonable, gas is excellent.
Socially, it's not perfect but it works for me. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
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