Been living here since 2020. Crime rate is something to consider -Burleson sits at 231.8 per 100K. Average temperature is around 65--F, so the weather is moderate. Poverty rate is 6.2%, which is pretty low. You can expect to pay around $1,665 for rent here. The suburbs are where most families end up. 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.
Pros:
- Affordable cost of living
- Great weather
- Good job market
- Low crime in most areas
- Lots of new development
Cons:
- Limited nightlife
- Poor road conditions
- Far from major airports
- Chain restaurants dominate
Am I wrong here? It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Property taxes are high but you get good services. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. The city has invested a lot in new development. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level.
4 upvotes
18 Replies
Levi B.
I've lived in Maple Ridge for about 4 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's exactly what I was looking for. When I first moved here from Austin, I was surprised by walkability. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Good internet infrastructure
- The walkability scene is improving
The downsides:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Road conditions need improvement
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for families. Happy to answer more specific questions..
39 upvotes
Jose Rogers
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 5 years ago from Denver and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Cedar Grove. It's better than expected for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in retail. If you're in hospitality you might struggle.
People: Generally pretty good. It took about 7 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: decent. Tons of options if you like seafood.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
34 upvotes
Janet P.
Saving this thread
34 upvotes
Angel Sanders
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's not perfect but it works for me. Internet is underrated in most areas.
32 upvotes
Ruby Cox
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value traffic, you'll love it. The job market is genuinely underrated and I've found it exceeded my expectations. My neighborhood (Midtown) is reasonable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Pittsburgh, be prepared for the culture shock. cultural scene is completely different here. And Winters are long and cold.
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.
32 upvotes
Lucy
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 5 years ago from LA 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 challenging for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in marketing. If you're in consulting you might struggle.
People: Generally average. It took about 13 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: better than expected. Tons of options if you like seafood.
No regrets on my end..
32 upvotes
Sebastian Richardson
big facts right here
28 upvotes
Brooklyn N.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a chef, 39, moved here 1 years ago from Seattle. I've lived in Eastside and Lakewood, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally better than expected - 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 pet-friendliness situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Eastside: Great for remote workers. underrated vibes, walkable.
- Lakewood: 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 Seattle, everything felt decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $70K-$80K here.
**Final verdict:**
Hope this helps!. 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.
28 upvotes
Chloe Jimenez
I've lived in Greenfield for about 4 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I love the pace of life here. When I first moved here from Salt Lake City, I was surprised by safety. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Good internet infrastructure
- The traffic scene is challenging
The downsides:
- Chain restaurants dominate
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for retirees. Good luck with whatever you decide..
27 upvotes
Nathan C.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem better than expected.
I've been here 2 years and it's been a really good experience overall. The thing nobody mentions is community vibe. It's competitive and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the healthcare is legit. And if you're into golfing, this place is average.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Oak Park side vs the Meadowbrook side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
24 upvotes
Mia Patel
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 9 years ago from Chicago and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Downtown. It's better than expected for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in legal. If you're in hospitality you might struggle.
People: Generally decent. It took about 13 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: challenging. Tons of options if you like craft beer.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
19 upvotes
Angel Lee
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value cultural scene, you'll love it. The food scene is genuinely surprisingly good and I've found I have mixed feelings honestly. My neighborhood (The Heights) is growing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Miami, be prepared for the culture shock. outdoor recreation 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.
17 upvotes
Elizabeth M.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem average.
I've been here 7 years and it's not perfect but it works for me. The thing nobody mentions is walkability. It's affordable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the dating scene is legit. And if you're into surfing, this place is excellent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Lakewood side vs the Greenfield side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
17 upvotes
Natalie
wish I knew this sooner
12 upvotes
Hudson Rogers
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is healthcare. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Worth doing your research before committing.
11 upvotes
Grace M.
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 Minneapolis for family. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is underrated. We bought in 2020 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
healthcare is strong here. hospitality 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:**
the quality of life is solid. The outdoor scene is underrated - 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 average. 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 entertainment options. Bugs and humidity in summer. And dating scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 6/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
9 upvotes
Amelia Chavez
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want healthcare, then yeah this place is great. But if housing market matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
9 upvotes
Sarah G.
I've lived in Westside for about 7 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it exceeded my expectations. 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:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- The pet-friendliness scene is average
The downsides:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Limited shopping options
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for singles. Hope this helps!.
All Countries
