Hey folks, It's a a smaller city city with about 25,292 people. You can expect to pay around $1,080 for rent here. Rent is about $1,080/month for a decent place. Average temperature is around 48--F, so expect cold winters. Crime rate is something to consider -Caledonia sits at 83.6 per 100K. The weather takes some getting used to. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The suburbs are where most families end up. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The suburbs are where most families end up. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The weather takes some getting used to. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. The weather takes some getting used to. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The suburbs are where most families end up. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Property taxes are high but you get good services. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. 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. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The suburbs are where most families end up. The suburbs are where most families end up. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The suburbs are where most families end up. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood.
26 upvotes
15 Replies
Jose Harris
We moved here with our family and I genuinely enjoy living here. Schools in Fairview area are challenging. Kids love it here.
40 upvotes
Nora M.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 7 years ago from Seattle and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in The Heights. It's solid for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in real estate. If you're in education you might struggle.
People: Generally better than expected. It took about 12 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: pretty good. Tons of options if you like farm-to-table.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
39 upvotes
Kennedy C.
I've lived in Uptown for about 13 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 Baltimore, I was surprised by healthcare. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Strong job market in several industries
- The safety scene is excellent
The downsides:
- Chain restaurants dominate
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for singles. Good luck with whatever you decide..
32 upvotes
lafan2021
As someone who grew up here, the quality of life is solid. A lot has changed in the past few years though. cost of living used to be much growing but now it's tough.
32 upvotes
Jeremiah T.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem solid.
I've been here 14 years and the quality of life is solid. The thing nobody mentions is community vibe. It's affordable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the walkability is legit. And if you're into fishing, this place is solid.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Sunset side vs the Fairview side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
No regrets on my end..
28 upvotes
Rylee T.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value dating scene, you'll love it. The nightlife is genuinely better than expected and I've found I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. My neighborhood (Pine Hills) is reasonable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Houston, be prepared for the culture shock. weather 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.
27 upvotes
Mason Y.
seconding this
26 upvotes
sf_noah
Moved here from Atlanta about 1 years ago. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Still getting used to food scene but Would recommend to anyone considering it..
25 upvotes
wild_kaylee6
I'm a software engineer and I've found I genuinely enjoy living here. The community is improving and there's always something going on.
24 upvotes
Christian Gutierrez
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a social worker who relocated here from Dallas about 15 years ago. The main reasons were my partner's job and retirement.
Pros I've experienced:
- Strong job market in several industries
- Good airport with direct flights
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Nightlife is limited
- Property taxes are high
Financially, we've found it pretty good compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are competitive, gas is challenging.
Socially, it's been a really good experience overall. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
19 upvotes
Emily Torres
literally same
16 upvotes
Gabriella
Totally agree!
12 upvotes
Scarlett Edwards
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a pharmacist who relocated here from Portland about 6 years ago. The main reasons were cost of living and cost of living.
Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Active local events and festivals
- Affordable housing options
Cons that are real:
- Road conditions need improvement
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Financially, we've found it excellent compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are reasonable, gas is hit or miss.
Socially, I love the pace of life here. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
6 upvotes
Jace Harris
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Highland for 10 years. Moved from Tampa for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is surprisingly good. 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:**
government is strong here. healthcare is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are stable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's been a really good experience overall. The outdoor scene is decent - 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 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. Not very walkable outside downtown. Homeless population growing downtown. And housing market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 7/10. It's not for everyone but it works for us.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
5 upvotes
Logan Diaz
I've lived in Midtown for about 15 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I love the pace of life here. When I first moved here from Minneapolis, I was surprised by pet-friendliness. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Decent public transit for the size
- Lots of new development happening
- The food scene scene is improving
The downsides:
- Limited shopping options
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for couples. Happy to answer more specific questions..
All Countries
