Hey everyone, With a population of 4,313, Baldwin is a small town. The weather takes some getting used to. Cheers. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable.
7 upvotes
10 Replies
lake_ethan9
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 1 years ago from Austin and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Meadowbrook. It's solid for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in tech. If you're in legal you might struggle.
People: Generally decent. It took about 3 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: better than expected. Tons of options if you like Vietnamese.
Hope this helps!.
40 upvotes
Lucy Ramirez
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 3-bedroom. it's exactly what I was looking for. Compared to LA it's pretty good.
37 upvotes
Isaiah Davis
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 6 years ago from Atlanta and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Fairview. It's improving for what you get.
Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in retail. If you're in hospitality you might struggle.
People: Generally solid. It took about 5 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: better than expected. Tons of options if you like seafood.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
29 upvotes
Robert Allen
Public transit is hit or miss here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it exceeded my expectations.
28 upvotes
Clara Foster
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a pharmacist, 32, moved here 12 years ago from Portland. I've lived in West and Cedar Grove, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Good schools in most areas
3. Lots of new development happening
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited high-paying job options
2. Chain restaurants dominate
3. The housing market situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- West: Great for retirees. average vibes, walkable.
- Cedar Grove: 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 Portland, everything felt hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $70K-$100K here.
**Final verdict:**
No regrets on my end.. 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.
26 upvotes
Kayden Gutierrez
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a lawyer, 46, moved here 5 years ago from Raleigh. I've lived in Sunset and Pine Hills, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Good schools in most areas
3. Good healthcare facilities
4. The people are generally solid - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Property taxes are high
2. Road conditions need improvement
3. The dating scene situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Sunset: Great for families. hit or miss vibes, walkable.
- Pine Hills: 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 Raleigh, everything felt decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $40K-$150K here.
**Final verdict:**
Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. 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.
24 upvotes
Dylan R.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Highland for 15 years. Moved from Minneapolis for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is solid. We bought in 2022 at k and it's now worth up a bit 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:**
healthcare is strong here. healthcare 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:**
it's exactly what I was looking for. The outdoor scene is pretty good - 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. Highland 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. Limited public transit options. Bugs and humidity in summer. And job market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 8/10. Would recommend to anyone considering it.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
20 upvotes
Jordan Wood
Saving this thread
10 upvotes
Melanie Lee
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a project manager who relocated here from Boston about 11 years ago. The main reasons were family and my partner's job.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good schools in most areas
- Good internet infrastructure
- Affordable housing options
Cons that are real:
- Chain restaurants dominate
- Far from beaches/mountains
Financially, we've found it challenging compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are developing, gas is pretty good.
Socially, it's been a really good experience overall. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
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