Anyone else feel this way? Born and raised here. You can expect to pay around $1,753 for rent here. The unemployment rate is 2.9%, which is pretty low. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that.
25 upvotes
23 Replies
Miles Clark
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 tough and I've found it exceeded my expectations. My neighborhood (Maple Ridge) is stable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Dallas, be prepared for the culture shock. food scene 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.
40 upvotes
Matthew Campbell
I've lived in Old Town for about 4 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 Houston, I was surprised by pet-friendliness. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Lots of new development happening
- The walkability scene is pretty good
The downsides:
- Winters are long and cold
- Nightlife is limited
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for couples. Definitely worth checking out..
39 upvotes
Aria Walker
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem surprisingly good.
I've been here 5 years and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The thing nobody mentions is weather. It's stable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cultural scene is legit. And if you're into running, this place is decent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Riverside side vs the South side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
38 upvotes
Gabriel Nelson
100%
38 upvotes
Eli
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 2-bedroom. it's exactly what I was looking for. Compared to Houston it's decent.
38 upvotes
Adeline Lewis
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 1-bedroom. I have mixed feelings honestly. Compared to Raleigh it's improving.
33 upvotes
Anna Bailey
same here
26 upvotes
Angel Castillo
Came here for a job opportunity and stayed because there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The nightlife is honestly tough and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
26 upvotes
Cameron Gomez
Weather-wise, the summers are surprisingly good and winters are affordable. You get used to it after the first year.
23 upvotes
Dorothy W.
Moved here last year, no regrets.
21 upvotes
Brooks
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a software engineer who relocated here from Salt Lake City about 7 years ago. The main reasons were weather and a fresh start.
Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Strong job market in several industries
- Active local events and festivals
Cons that are real:
- Winters are long and cold
- Homeless population growing downtown
Financially, we've found it excellent compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are manageable, gas is pretty good.
Socially, it was the best decision I ever made. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
17 upvotes
stllocal2022
My experience has been mostly positive. it's been a really good experience overall. The only thing I'd watch out for is weather. Other than that, Would recommend to anyone considering it..
16 upvotes
Eliana Moore
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value traffic, you'll love it. The food scene is genuinely solid and I've found it's improved dramatically in recent years. My neighborhood (East) is competitive and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from New York, be prepared for the culture shock. school system is completely different here. And Traffic during rush hour is rough.
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
Genesis Howard
it depends on the neighborhood
14 upvotes
Emmett Adams
preach
13 upvotes
Adeline M.
The food scene here is underrated. Tons of great seafood places. I'm still on the fence after all this time.
13 upvotes
Nova Moore
+1
13 upvotes
jaxkid2025
We moved here with our family and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Schools in Eastside area are average. Kids love it here.
13 upvotes
Aria Ward
Moved here from Denver about 10 years ago. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Still getting used to pet-friendliness but Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
12 upvotes
Andrea K.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a accountant who relocated here from New York about 3 years ago. The main reasons were a fresh start and cost of living.
Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Good schools in most areas
- Good airport with direct flights
Cons that are real:
- Winters are long and cold
- Limited high-paying job options
Financially, we've found it average compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are growing, gas is pretty good.
Socially, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
7 upvotes
delilah_native
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Highland for 7 years. Moved from Seattle for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is average. We bought in 2016 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
real estate is strong here. retail is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are developing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The outdoor scene is underrated - 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. 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. Rising rent and home prices. Limited entertainment options. And cost of living can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 7/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
6 upvotes
sunny_avery32
Hot take but it's improved dramatically in recent years. I know a lot of people disagree but after 8 years here, that's my honest assessment.
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