Curious what people think. Just moved here 10 months ago and Crime rate is something to consider -Bel Air South sits at 468.4 per 100K. With a population of 57,702, Bel Air South is a smaller city. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. What do you all think? People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. The city has invested a lot in new development.
1 upvotes
13 Replies
Cooper Scott
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a social worker, 27, moved here 10 years ago from Phoenix. I've lived in Springfield and South, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Not very walkable outside downtown
3. The food scene situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Springfield: Great for couples. pretty good 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 Phoenix, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $50K-$140K 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.
37 upvotes
Lucy Thomas
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 3 years ago from Baltimore and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Fairview. It's improving for what you get.
Jobs: The market is reasonable right now, especially in real estate. If you're in tech you might struggle.
People: Generally average. It took about 11 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: solid. Tons of options if you like farm-to-table.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
33 upvotes
Cynthia L.
yeah no that's not right
33 upvotes
Isaiah Sanchez
Public transit is pretty good here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I genuinely enjoy living here.
32 upvotes
landon_walker
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 New York for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is hit or miss. We bought in 2020 at k and it's now worth up significantly 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:**
marketing is strong here. consulting 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's been a really good experience overall. The outdoor scene is improving - we have lakes 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 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. Limited public transit options. Urban sprawl is real. And school system can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 5/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
30 upvotes
Carter Anderson
not my experience at all
30 upvotes
Arianna Allen
preach
27 upvotes
Lydia Brown
Public transit is decent here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's improved dramatically in recent years.
22 upvotes
Leonardo Evans
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a writer, 51, moved here 10 years ago from Houston. I've lived in Riverside and Westside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Nice parks and green spaces
2. Good airport with direct flights
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Urban sprawl is real
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The safety situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Riverside: Great for remote workers. decent vibes, walkable.
- Westside: 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 Houston, everything felt excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $70K-$140K here.
**Final verdict:**
Definitely worth checking out.. 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.
22 upvotes
Hunter E.
We moved here with our family and it's been a really good experience overall. Schools in Maple Ridge area are challenging. Kids love it here.
14 upvotes
Xavier Martinez
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's exactly what I was looking for. Internet is average in most areas.
5 upvotes
Theodore Garcia
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 7 years ago from San Francisco and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Greenfield. It's challenging for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in healthcare. If you're in government you might struggle.
People: Generally improving. It took about 7 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: pretty good. Tons of options if you like farm-to-table.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
4 upvotes
Julian C.
Bought a house here in 2021 and it's improved dramatically in recent years. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
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