It's a a smaller city city with about 62,822 people. The median home value here is around $1,233,100, which is pretty steep. Rent is about $2,804/month for a decent place. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Has anyone dealt with this? Looking forward to hearing from you all. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The suburbs are where most families end up. The suburbs are where most families end up. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The suburbs are where most families end up. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that.
21 upvotes
17 Replies
Mia Young
Weather-wise, the summers are decent and winters are reasonable. You get used to it after the first year.
40 upvotes
Eva
literally same
32 upvotes
Grace Sanchez
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a teacher who relocated here from Houston about 2 years ago. The main reasons were a job opportunity and a fresh start.
Pros I've experienced:
- Strong job market in several industries
- Affordable housing options
- Diverse dining options
Cons that are real:
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Financially, we've found it pretty good compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are established, gas is improving.
Socially, it's improved dramatically in recent years. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
30 upvotes
Grayson T.
I've lived in Highland for about 9 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I have mixed feelings honestly. When I first moved here from Dallas, I was surprised by community vibe. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Close to major attractions
- The food scene scene is tough
The downsides:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Chain restaurants dominate
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for young professionals. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
28 upvotes
Nathan P.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem underrated.
I've been here 5 years and it's improved dramatically in recent years. The thing nobody mentions is outdoor recreation. It's affordable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the healthcare is legit. And if you're into fishing, this place is solid.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The South side vs the Eastside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
28 upvotes
Josiah K.
hard disagree but ok
25 upvotes
Alice Cox
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 2-bedroom. it's not perfect but it works for me. Compared to Austin it's better than expected.
24 upvotes
Caroline Richardson
I've lived in Oak Park for about 10 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's not perfect but it works for me. When I first moved here from Atlanta, I was surprised by public transit. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Active local events and festivals
- Affordable housing options
- The walkability scene is average
The downsides:
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
- Limited shopping options
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for young professionals. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
21 upvotes
Kaylee L.
hmm interesting perspective
21 upvotes
Connor
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in The Heights for 10 years. Moved from Miami for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is improving. We bought in 2018 at k and it's now worth down slightly 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:**
real estate is strong here. hospitality is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are established for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I love the pace of life here. The outdoor scene is tough - 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. The Heights 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. Limited public transit options. Limited high-paying job options. And outdoor recreation can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 5/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
18 upvotes
Wayne R.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Old Town for 7 years. Moved from Houston for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is tough. We bought in 2021 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. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
manufacturing 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:**
I have mixed feelings honestly. The outdoor scene is excellent - 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. Old Town 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. Not a lot of cultural diversity. Dating scene is rough. And healthcare can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 5/10. Definitely worth checking out.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
14 upvotes
Easton R.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a marketing manager, 29, moved here 8 years ago from Raleigh. I've lived in Lakewood and Riverside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Friendly community, easy to meet people
3. Four distinct seasons
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Road conditions need improvement
2. Limited shopping options
3. The traffic situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Lakewood: Great for remote workers. improving vibes, walkable.
- Riverside: 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 Raleigh, everything felt hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $90K-$140K here.
**Final verdict:**
Definitely worth checking out.. 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.
13 upvotes
Peyton Gutierrez
This.
9 upvotes
Benjamin
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a pharmacist who relocated here from Baltimore about 2 years ago. The main reasons were work and quality of life.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good healthcare facilities
- Close to major attractions
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Rising rent and home prices
Financially, we've found it underrated compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are affordable, gas is average.
Socially, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
8 upvotes
Edward M.
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is dating scene. I love the pace of life here. Worth doing your research before committing.
7 upvotes
Nevaeh
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a physical therapist who relocated here from Boston about 7 years ago. The main reasons were my partner's job and family.
Pros I've experienced:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Lots of new development happening
- Close to major attractions
Cons that are real:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Limited entertainment options
Financially, we've found it better than expected compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are developing, gas is tough.
Socially, it's been a really good experience overall. Feel free to reach out with questions..
6 upvotes
Julian Cox
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value job market, you'll love it. The community vibe is genuinely improving and I've found it was the best decision I ever made. My neighborhood (Oak Park) is developing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Charlotte, be prepared for the culture shock. public transit is completely different here. And Rising rent and home prices.
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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