Curious what people think. I'm single, late 40s, and Median household income is $67,859, which feels about average for the area. You can expect to pay around $925 for rent here. It's a a mid-size city city with about 137K people. The unemployment rate is 2.7%, which is pretty low. The weather takes some getting used to. It's changing fast — some good, some not so much. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. The city has invested a lot in new development.
57 upvotes
13 Replies
Isaac Cox
lol so true
39 upvotes
Valentina H.
noted, appreciate it
29 upvotes
Reagan
Came here for weather and stayed because there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The pet-friendliness is honestly underrated and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
26 upvotes
proud_jack31
Came here for quality of life and stayed because I love the pace of life here. The job market is honestly decent and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
26 upvotes
Kai Baker
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in The Heights for 5 years. Moved from Chicago for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is pretty good. We bought in 2019 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
tech is strong here. construction is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are pricey for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I love the pace of life here. The outdoor scene is pretty good - we have national forests within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. The Heights schools are hit or miss. 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. Homeless population growing downtown. Bugs and humidity in summer. And outdoor recreation can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 8/10. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
25 upvotes
Ian
I work in tech here and it was the best decision I ever made. The job market for my field is better than expected. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
24 upvotes
Landon Bennett
The food scene here is underrated. Tons of great Vietnamese places. it was the best decision I ever made.
24 upvotes
Joseph Howard
The food scene here is surprisingly good. Tons of great seafood places. it's been a really good experience overall.
22 upvotes
Aria Brooks
Can confirm, been here 4 years.
18 upvotes
Riley Mitchell
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a electrician who relocated here from Salt Lake City about 13 years ago. The main reasons were weather and work.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good schools in most areas
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Affordable housing options
Cons that are real:
- Dating scene is rough
- Homeless population growing downtown
Financially, we've found it improving compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are reasonable, gas is challenging.
Socially, I'm still on the fence after all this time. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
16 upvotes
stl_angel
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is dating scene. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Worth doing your research before committing.
12 upvotes
Claire Adams
We moved here with our family and it exceeded my expectations. Schools in Old Town area are hit or miss. Kids love it here.
10 upvotes
Chloe G.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a real estate agent who relocated here from Nashville about 8 years ago. The main reasons were work and family.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Active local events and festivals
- Diverse dining options
Cons that are real:
- Limited shopping options
- Dating scene is rough
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, I love the pace of life here. Hope this helps!.