Anyone else feel this way? The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Anyone in a similar situation?
4 upvotes
16 Replies
madelyn_life
good to know, thanks
38 upvotes
Nora Sanders
Totally agree!
36 upvotes
Jameson Nelson
great question, following
34 upvotes
Anna Gutierrez
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a pharmacist, 40, moved here 12 years ago from Nashville. I've lived in The Heights and Midtown, 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. Low crime in most neighborhoods
4. The people are generally hit or miss - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Limited high-paying job options
3. The food scene situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- The Heights: Great for couples. better than expected vibes, walkable.
- Midtown: 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 Nashville, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $80K-$120K here.
**Final verdict:**
Would recommend to anyone considering it.. 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
omaha_parker
Bought a house here in 2022 and it's been a really good experience overall. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
25 upvotes
Caroline Baker
big facts right here
21 upvotes
fresno_zoey
I've been living here for 10 years and I'd say I'm still on the fence after all this time. The outdoor recreation is pretty good compared to other places I've lived. Overall Hope this helps!.
19 upvotes
Scarlett Reed
I've been living here for 6 years and I'd say it was the best decision I ever made. The safety is excellent compared to other places I've lived. Overall Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
17 upvotes
Jeremiah Scott
Public transit is decent here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I love the pace of life here.
16 upvotes
Liam Morris
seconding this
12 upvotes
George S.
literally same
12 upvotes
Daniel R.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want safety, then yeah this place is great. But if nightlife matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
12 upvotes
James Moore
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in West for 8 years. Moved from San Francisco for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is tough. We bought in 2018 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
engineering is strong here. retail 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:**
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The outdoor scene is hit or miss - we have biking trails 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 decent. 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. Summers can be brutally hot. And community vibe can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 6/10. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
9 upvotes
Isabelle N.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a nurse who relocated here from Austin about 13 years ago. The main reasons were my partner's job and a fresh start.
Pros I've experienced:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Good healthcare facilities
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Dating scene is rough
Financially, we've found it better than expected compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are wild, gas is tough.
Socially, it's exactly what I was looking for. Definitely worth checking out..
7 upvotes
julia_vibes
I work in engineering here and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The job market for my field is average. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
5 upvotes
Gianna Hernandez
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Highland for 2 years. Moved from Miami for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is decent. We bought in 2022 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. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
hospitality is strong here. engineering 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:**
I love the pace of life here. The outdoor scene is tough - 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. 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. Winters are long and cold. Dating scene is rough. And dating scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 6/10. Hope this helps!. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.