Hi all, Crime rate is something to consider -Burien sits at 343.6 per 100K. Poverty rate is 7.5%, which is pretty low. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Looking forward to hearing from you all.
3 upvotes
28 Replies
Stella Scott
Weather-wise, the summers are tough and winters are reasonable. You get used to it after the first year.
38 upvotes
Ava Ruiz
I've lived in Greenfield for about 10 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it was the best decision I ever made. When I first moved here from LA, I was surprised by pet-friendliness. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Lots of new development happening
- The walkability scene is tough
The downsides:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Nightlife is limited
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for families. Happy to answer more specific questions..
38 upvotes
Isla Phillips
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value healthcare, you'll love it. The school system is genuinely excellent and I've found I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. My neighborhood (West) is developing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Pittsburgh, be prepared for the culture shock. weather is completely different here. And Summers can be brutally hot.
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.
38 upvotes
Silas Martin
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem challenging.
I've been here 2 years and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The thing nobody mentions is school system. It's growing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the public transit is legit. And if you're into kayaking, this place is tough.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The East side vs the Westside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
33 upvotes
Leah
underrated comment
32 upvotes
Kenneth P.
I've lived in The Heights for about 14 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I have mixed feelings honestly. When I first moved here from Miami, I was surprised by dating scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good schools in most areas
- Strong job market in several industries
- The school system scene is improving
The downsides:
- Chain restaurants dominate
- Far from beaches/mountains
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for retirees. Hope this helps!.
31 upvotes
Sadie Richardson
accurate
28 upvotes
Peyton Myers
glad someone said it
28 upvotes
Elijah Perez
Hot take but I'm still on the fence after all this time. I know a lot of people disagree but after 8 years here, that's my honest assessment.
28 upvotes
Ethan H.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a project manager, 36, moved here 12 years ago from Portland. I've lived in Oak Park and Uptown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Good schools in most areas
3. Good internet infrastructure
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Dating scene is rough
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The traffic situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Oak Park: Great for families. hit or miss vibes, walkable.
- Uptown: 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 Portland, everything felt average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $80K-$90K here.
**Final verdict:**
Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. 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
Jordan Hughes
accurate
25 upvotes
Doris M.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a marketing manager, 43, moved here 14 years ago from Austin. I've lived in Meadowbrook and Oak Park, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good internet infrastructure
2. Four distinct seasons
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Nightlife is limited
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The safety situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Meadowbrook: Great for young professionals. decent vibes, walkable.
- Oak Park: 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 Austin, everything felt hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $80K-$140K here.
**Final verdict:**
Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. 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.
23 upvotes
Emmett Flores
Came here for a fresh start and stayed because it's not perfect but it works for me. The job market is honestly hit or miss and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
21 upvotes
Marie H.
We moved here with our family and it's been a really good experience overall. Schools in Highland area are pretty good. Kids love it here.
20 upvotes
Piper Richardson
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem tough.
I've been here 8 years and it exceeded my expectations. The thing nobody mentions is weather. It's wild and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the nightlife is legit. And if you're into skiing, this place is surprisingly good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Fairview side vs the Springfield side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Definitely worth checking out..
20 upvotes
peyton_life
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem tough.
I've been here 5 years and I love the pace of life here. The thing nobody mentions is public transit. It's manageable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the school system is legit. And if you're into skiing, this place is excellent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The The Heights side vs the Old Town side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
16 upvotes
Kayden Wright
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value dating scene, you'll love it. The pet-friendliness is genuinely improving and I've found there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. My neighborhood (Eastside) is reasonable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from LA, be prepared for the culture shock. nightlife 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.
15 upvotes
Delilah Davis
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 Austin for family. 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 4-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
tech is strong here. government is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are competitive for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I'm still on the fence after all this time. The outdoor scene is excellent - 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 solid. 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. Dating scene is rough. And outdoor recreation can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 8/10. Hope this helps!. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
15 upvotes
Amy S.
As someone who grew up here, it's been a really good experience overall. A lot has changed in the past few years though. job market used to be much developing but now it's hit or miss.
13 upvotes
Dominic Walker
lol so true
13 upvotes
Robert P.
yeah no that's not right
11 upvotes
Helen W.
Public transit is hit or miss here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's been a really good experience overall.
10 upvotes
Hudson K.
My experience has been mostly positive. I genuinely enjoy living here. The only thing I'd watch out for is food scene. Other than that, Hope this helps!.
7 upvotes
Kinsley Green
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a chef, 46, moved here 2 years ago from Salt Lake City. I've lived in Lakewood and West, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Low crime in most neighborhoods
3. Active local events and festivals
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Dating scene is rough
3. The community vibe situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Lakewood: Great for couples. hit or miss vibes, walkable.
- West: 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 Salt Lake City, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $100K-$110K here.
**Final verdict:**
Feel free to reach out with questions.. 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.
7 upvotes
Roman Johnson
Public transit is decent here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's not perfect but it works for me.
5 upvotes
Matthew M.
Moved here from New York about 6 years ago. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Still getting used to food scene but Would recommend to anyone considering it..
4 upvotes
Ella P.
Public transit is improving here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I'm still on the fence after all this time.
2 upvotes
Dylan Nelson
Came here for school and stayed because I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The food scene is honestly decent and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
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