Median household income is $215,726, which feels pretty solid for the area. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Should I be concerned? Any help is appreciated.
12 upvotes
13 Replies
Autumn R.
Can confirm, been here 13 years.
39 upvotes
Oliver Clark
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem average.
I've been here 13 years and the quality of life is solid. The thing nobody mentions is pet-friendliness. It's affordable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the public transit is legit. And if you're into biking, this place is better than expected.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Westside side vs the East side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
36 upvotes
Oliver Martin
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's improved dramatically in recent years. Hope this helps!.
33 upvotes
Autumn Taylor
Hot take but I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. I know a lot of people disagree but after 10 years here, that's my honest assessment.
28 upvotes
Waylon
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 8 years ago from Minneapolis and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Maple Ridge. It's challenging for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in retail. If you're in consulting you might struggle.
People: Generally underrated. It took about 9 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: solid. Tons of options if you like Vietnamese.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
27 upvotes
Aurora Morris
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value nightlife, you'll love it. The healthcare is genuinely surprisingly good and I've found it's exactly what I was looking for. My neighborhood (Uptown) is wild and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from San Francisco, be prepared for the culture shock. walkability is completely different here. And Traffic during rush hour is rough.
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.
20 upvotes
Dominic Scott
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 4-bedroom. the quality of life is solid. Compared to Chicago it's excellent.
18 upvotes
Alexa Chavez
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 Phoenix for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is tough. We bought in 2019 at k and it's now worth about the same 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:**
hospitality is strong here. finance 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 improved dramatically in recent years. The outdoor scene is improving - 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 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. Homeless population growing downtown. Bugs and humidity in summer. And pet-friendliness can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 9/10. Would recommend to anyone considering it.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
17 upvotes
Isaiah Mendoza
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem hit or miss.
I've been here 10 years and it was the best decision I ever made. The thing nobody mentions is safety. It's competitive and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the weather is legit. And if you're into camping, this place is average.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Old Town side vs the Downtown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Definitely worth checking out..
15 upvotes
Jason R.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a accountant who relocated here from Raleigh about 3 years ago. The main reasons were my partner's job and work.
Pros I've experienced:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Diverse dining options
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Winters are long and cold
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Financially, we've found it hit or miss compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are manageable, gas is surprisingly good.
Socially, it exceeded my expectations. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
12 upvotes
Alexander Nguyen
interesting, hadn't considered that
5 upvotes
Linda W.
Bought a house here in 2017 and it's not perfect but it works for me. Property values have gone about the same since then.
4 upvotes
Jacob Phillips
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 4-bedroom. it's not perfect but it works for me. Compared to Austin it's tough.
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