Anyone else feel this way? It's a a small town city with about 17,824 people. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. What are your go-to spots? Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The suburbs are where most families end up.
3 upvotes
12 Replies
Jameson B.
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 4-bedroom. the quality of life is solid. Compared to Phoenix it's improving.
38 upvotes
Grace T.
The food scene here is excellent. Tons of great Southern places. I genuinely enjoy living here.
28 upvotes
Isabelle Reyes
This.
25 upvotes
Addison B.
+1
24 upvotes
Hunter Bailey
lol so true
23 upvotes
Bella Hall
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a software engineer, 50, moved here 7 years ago from Austin. I've lived in Pine Hills and Westside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Growing food and restaurant scene
3. Good internet infrastructure
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Rising rent and home prices
2. Dating scene is rough
3. The cultural scene situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Pine Hills: Great for remote workers. average 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 Austin, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $100K-$120K here.
**Final verdict:**
Good luck with whatever you decide.. 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.
21 upvotes
Zoe Diaz
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem surprisingly good.
I've been here 7 years and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The thing nobody mentions is healthcare. It's manageable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the traffic is legit. And if you're into skiing, this place is decent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Downtown side vs the Riverside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Definitely worth checking out..
16 upvotes
Colton M.
We moved here with our family and I'm still on the fence after all this time. Schools in Meadowbrook area are underrated. Kids love it here.
15 upvotes
Naomi M.
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 Miami for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is improving. We bought in 2017 at k and it's now worth about the same 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:**
legal is strong here. legal 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:**
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The outdoor scene is better than expected - we have national forests 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 surprisingly 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. Winters are long and cold. Can feel isolated. And traffic can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 9/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
12 upvotes
Brielle Peterson
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem challenging.
I've been here 1 years and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The thing nobody mentions is traffic. It's manageable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the walkability is legit. And if you're into fishing, this place is pretty good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Sunset side vs the Eastside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Definitely worth checking out..
5 upvotes
Ian Walker
I work in legal here and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The job market for my field is average. No regrets on my end..
4 upvotes
julia_soul
We moved here with our family and it's improved dramatically in recent years. Schools in North area are improving. Kids love it here.
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