Random thought, I'm single, late 40s, and Poverty rate is 38.4%, which is higher than I expected. Median household income is $26,649, which feels on the lower side for the area. Property taxes are high but you get good services. What do you all think?
3 upvotes
24 Replies
David
I've lived in Uptown for about 6 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 Portland, I was surprised by public transit. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Lots of new development happening
- The dating scene scene is decent
The downsides:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Limited entertainment options
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for families. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
40 upvotes
melanie_local
I've lived in Old Town for about 2 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 school system. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Nice parks and green spaces
- The food scene scene is pretty good
The downsides:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Homeless population growing downtown
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for retirees. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
39 upvotes
Jacob 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 13 years. Moved from Atlanta for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is improving. We bought in 2023 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. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
consulting is strong here. finance 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'm still on the fence after all this time. The outdoor scene is tough - we have ski resorts 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 pretty 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. Not very walkable outside downtown. And public transit can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 5/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
39 upvotes
Sophie Watson
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want weather, then yeah this place is great. But if housing market matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
38 upvotes
Chloe Wright
My experience has been mostly positive. the quality of life is solid. The only thing I'd watch out for is public transit. Other than that, Hope this helps!.
37 upvotes
Everly Cooper
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value pet-friendliness, you'll love it. The dating scene is genuinely challenging and I've found it was the best decision I ever made. My neighborhood (The Heights) is competitive and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Raleigh, be prepared for the culture shock. housing market is completely different here. And Not a lot of cultural diversity.
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.
37 upvotes
Kayla M.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want nightlife, then yeah this place is great. But if nightlife matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
35 upvotes
Brooks Gray
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Internet is hit or miss in most areas.
33 upvotes
Wyatt
We moved here with our family and I have mixed feelings honestly. Schools in Springfield area are solid. Kids love it here.
29 upvotes
Kinsley
Hot take but it's improved dramatically in recent years. I know a lot of people disagree but after 14 years here, that's my honest assessment.
29 upvotes
Kaylee Jones
Totally agree!
28 upvotes
Avery Cook
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem better than expected.
I've been here 6 years and it was the best decision I ever made. The thing nobody mentions is housing market. It's growing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the healthcare is legit. And if you're into mountain biking, this place is solid.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Cedar Grove side vs the Springfield side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
25 upvotes
Liam
been saying this for years
24 upvotes
Grace Martinez
Bought a house here in 2024 and it's exactly what I was looking for. Property values have gone up significantly since then.
23 upvotes
Wesley S.
The food scene here is better than expected. Tons of great Italian places. I genuinely enjoy living here.
18 upvotes
Henry Scott
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value outdoor recreation, you'll love it. The community vibe is genuinely underrated and I've found there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. My neighborhood (Oak Park) is manageable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Austin, be prepared for the culture shock. public transit is completely different here. And Limited high-paying job options.
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.
14 upvotes
Joshua
I've lived in Uptown for about 1 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 Raleigh, I was surprised by public transit. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good schools in most areas
- Lots of new development happening
- The pet-friendliness scene is better than expected
The downsides:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Dating scene is rough
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for families. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
13 upvotes
Charlotte Hall
We moved here with our family and I have mixed feelings honestly. Schools in Riverside area are hit or miss. Kids love it here.
12 upvotes
Axel M.
Public transit is hit or miss here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I have mixed feelings honestly.
11 upvotes
Amelia
not my experience at all
9 upvotes
Claire Gray
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 4 years ago from Portland and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Meadowbrook. It's pretty good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in finance. If you're in finance you might struggle.
People: Generally average. It took about 16 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: tough. Tons of options if you like farm-to-table.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
7 upvotes
Jeremiah S.
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is nightlife. it's been a really good experience overall. Worth doing your research before committing.
6 upvotes
Elena H.
Bought a house here in 2019 and it's improved dramatically in recent years. Property values have gone about the same since then.
6 upvotes
Mason R.
As someone who grew up here, I have mixed feelings honestly. A lot has changed in the past few years though. walkability used to be much growing but now it's pretty good.
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