Random thought, It's a a smaller city city with about 32,013 people. Household incomes average around $63,945 in Atwater. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The city has invested a lot in new development. The food scene here is surprisingly good. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years.
2 upvotes
9 Replies
Logan Phillips
Hot take but I'm still on the fence after all this time. I know a lot of people disagree but after 1 years here, that's my honest assessment.
37 upvotes
Isabelle Peterson
literally same
35 upvotes
Aubrey Reed
Weather-wise, the summers are tough and winters are affordable. You get used to it after the first year.
32 upvotes
Avery Harris
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value housing market, you'll love it. The safety is genuinely underrated and I've found I'm still on the fence after all this time. My neighborhood (Fairview) is growing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Miami, be prepared for the culture shock. dating scene 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.
24 upvotes
Connor Jimenez
Can confirm, been here 10 years.
23 upvotes
Audrey King
yeah no that's not right
15 upvotes
Parker L.
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, the quality of life is solid. Feel free to reach out with questions..
15 upvotes
Caleb Robinson
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Highland for 1 years. Moved from Raleigh for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is average. We bought in 2016 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. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
legal is strong here. consulting 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:**
it was the best decision I ever made. The outdoor scene is pretty good - 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 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. Rising rent and home prices. Limited entertainment options. And nightlife can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, 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.
14 upvotes
Elijah Ramos
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem underrated.
I've been here 4 years and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The thing nobody mentions is food scene. It's affordable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the weather is legit. And if you're into surfing, this place is hit or miss.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The East side vs the West side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
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