Hey folks, It's a a small town city with about 10,996 people. Crime rate is something to consider -Bolivar sits at 269.6 per 100K. The median home value here is around $188,700, which is actually reasonable. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Worth the trade-offs? It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The city has invested a lot in new development. The city has invested a lot in new development. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods.
15 upvotes
13 Replies
Jonathan C.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value cost of living, you'll love it. The pet-friendliness is genuinely excellent and I've found it was the best decision I ever made. My neighborhood (West) is affordable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Boston, be prepared for the culture shock. public transit is completely different here. And Chain restaurants dominate.
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.
40 upvotes
Skylar Walker
bump
37 upvotes
Rylee
+1
36 upvotes
Jacob Price
preach
18 upvotes
Declan Wood
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 1-bedroom. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Compared to Raleigh it's better than expected.
11 upvotes
Christina M.
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's been a really good experience overall. Happy to answer more specific questions..
10 upvotes
Logan Williams
Used to live on the Fairview side, now on the Old Town side. Completely different vibe. the quality of life is solid.
9 upvotes
Wayne W.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want traffic, then yeah this place is great. But if weather matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
9 upvotes
jax_elizabeth
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 Salt Lake City for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is improving. 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 3-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
government is strong here. education is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are reasonable 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 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 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. Not a lot of cultural diversity. Can feel isolated. And job market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 6/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
8 upvotes
Serenity Foster
Saving this thread
7 upvotes
Hudson Reyes
exactly what I was thinking
3 upvotes
Kayden Walker
nah I disagree
2 upvotes
Abigail
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value cost of living, you'll love it. The school system is genuinely hit or miss and I've found it was the best decision I ever made. My neighborhood (Downtown) is affordable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Miami, be prepared for the culture shock. outdoor recreation is completely different here. And Limited high-paying job options.
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.
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