Hey everyone, It's a a small town city with about 10,989 people. Poverty rate is 4.4%, which is pretty low. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The weather takes some getting used to. Any advice would be great. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The city has invested a lot in new development. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Property taxes are high but you get good services. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. It's not perfect, but the community is solid.
9 upvotes
10 Replies
Scarlett Bailey
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 11 years ago from Raleigh and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Uptown. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is reasonable right now, especially in consulting. If you're in healthcare you might struggle.
People: Generally tough. It took about 8 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: solid. Tons of options if you like Vietnamese.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
33 upvotes
Paisley James
We moved here with our family and it was the best decision I ever made. Schools in West area are improving. Kids love it here.
33 upvotes
Emmett Wilson
great question, following
29 upvotes
Lydia B.
bump
27 upvotes
Axel
it depends on the neighborhood
23 upvotes
Nicholas T.
noted, appreciate it
23 upvotes
Josiah Ruiz
I've been living here for 8 years and I'd say I'm still on the fence after all this time. The walkability is solid compared to other places I've lived. Overall Hope this helps!.
22 upvotes
Weston James
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Highland for 5 years. Moved from LA for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is better than expected. We bought in 2015 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
retail is strong here. consulting is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are pricey for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it was the best decision I ever made. The outdoor scene is decent - we have hiking trails 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 challenging. 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. Limited high-paying job options. And traffic can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 8/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
21 upvotes
Anna R.
My experience has been mostly positive. I have mixed feelings honestly. The only thing I'd watch out for is safety. Other than that, Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
7 upvotes
Ezekiel Peterson
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem better than expected.
I've been here 12 years and I genuinely enjoy living here. The thing nobody mentions is traffic. It's competitive and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the walkability is legit. And if you're into running, this place is tough.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Oak Park side vs the North side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
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