Been meaning to ask this. Just moved here 18 months ago and Median household income is $51,984, which feels on the lower side for the area. It's a a small town city with about 17,824 people. The weather takes some getting used to. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Does this match your experience?
5 upvotes
14 Replies
Zoey Rodriguez
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 2-bedroom. it's exactly what I was looking for. Compared to Denver it's tough.
39 upvotes
Ruby Lopez
This.
38 upvotes
Sebastian Ward
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are surprisingly good, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
35 upvotes
Allison H.
glad someone said it
34 upvotes
Olivia P.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem surprisingly good.
I've been here 2 years and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The thing nobody mentions is pet-friendliness. It's growing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the dating scene is legit. And if you're into hiking, this place is excellent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Uptown side vs the Oak Park side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
31 upvotes
Jordan Thomas
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 6 years ago from Miami 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 West. It's surprisingly good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in hospitality. If you're in real estate you might struggle.
People: Generally challenging. It took about 5 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: underrated. Tons of options if you like craft beer.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
26 upvotes
Stephanie G.
Weather-wise, the summers are pretty good and winters are wild. You get used to it after the first year.
18 upvotes
Benjamin
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are tough, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
16 upvotes
Mateo Gonzalez
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in West for 1 years. Moved from Seattle for a fresh start. 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 up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
engineering is strong here. marketing 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:**
it's not perfect but it works for me. The outdoor scene is better than expected - we have state parks within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. West schools are excellent. 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. Nightlife is limited. Urban sprawl is real. And job market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 8/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
8 upvotes
Madison S.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want nightlife, then yeah this place is great. But if school system matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
7 upvotes
oaklanddude2021
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem hit or miss.
I've been here 14 years and I genuinely enjoy living here. The thing nobody mentions is outdoor recreation. It's growing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the community vibe is legit. And if you're into golfing, this place is solid.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Meadowbrook side vs the West side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
6 upvotes
Riley Evans
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Highland for 13 years. Moved from Pittsburgh for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is average. 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. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
real estate is strong here. hospitality 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:**
I love the pace of life here. The outdoor scene is solid - 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 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. Rising rent and home prices. Urban sprawl is real. And weather can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 9/10. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
6 upvotes
living_aaliyah51
facts
4 upvotes
Eleanor Morales
Bought a house here in 2018 and it's not perfect but it works for me. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
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