So, Poverty rate is 11.7%, which is around average. It's a a smaller city city with about 47,918 people. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. What would you do? The weather takes some getting used to. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The food scene here is surprisingly good. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The weather takes some getting used to. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly.
25 upvotes
20 Replies
Logan Johnson
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are improving, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
39 upvotes
Arianna Evans
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 Portland for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is decent. We bought in 2019 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
tech is strong here. retail is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are affordable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's improved dramatically in recent years. The outdoor scene is average - we have rivers 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 improving. 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. Summers can be brutally hot. Dating scene is rough. And pet-friendliness can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 9/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
38 upvotes
Willow Young
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a HR manager, 48, moved here 9 years ago from Phoenix. I've lived in South and Sunset, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Low crime in most neighborhoods
2. Good healthcare facilities
3. Good internet infrastructure
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not very walkable outside downtown
2. Limited shopping options
3. The cost of living situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- South: Great for couples. underrated vibes, walkable.
- Sunset: 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 Phoenix, everything felt decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $90K-$80K here.
**Final verdict:**
Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. 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.
35 upvotes
Thomas Lopez
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem surprisingly good.
I've been here 2 years and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The thing nobody mentions is walkability. It's pricey and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cultural scene is legit. And if you're into camping, this place is excellent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The The Heights side vs the Lakewood side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
33 upvotes
Kennedy H.
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
32 upvotes
Sarah F.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Cedar Grove for 10 years. Moved from Pittsburgh for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is underrated. We bought in 2022 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
tech is strong here. consulting is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are reasonable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The outdoor scene is pretty good - we have biking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Cedar Grove 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. Traffic during rush hour is rough. Far from beaches/mountains. And job market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 8/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
31 upvotes
Johnny R.
haha yep pretty much
29 upvotes
Luca White
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a HR manager who relocated here from LA about 9 years ago. The main reasons were a fresh start and cost of living.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Active local events and festivals
Cons that are real:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Far from beaches/mountains
Financially, we've found it surprisingly good compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are wild, gas is improving.
Socially, it exceeded my expectations. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
25 upvotes
Kayden Morales
couldn't agree more
25 upvotes
Leah
hmm interesting perspective
25 upvotes
Lillian Lee
Bought a house here in 2018 and I love the pace of life here. Property values have gone up significantly since then.
20 upvotes
minneapolisheart2026
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem challenging.
I've been here 3 years and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The thing nobody mentions is public transit. It's reasonable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the traffic is legit. And if you're into camping, this place is excellent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Greenfield side vs the Cedar Grove side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
18 upvotes
Lucas Mendoza
I work in finance here and it's exactly what I was looking for. The job market for my field is better than expected. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
17 upvotes
Addison Martinez
Bought a house here in 2019 and it's not perfect but it works for me. Property values have gone up significantly since then.
15 upvotes
John Bailey
My experience has been mostly positive. I love the pace of life here. The only thing I'd watch out for is job market. Other than that, Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
12 upvotes
Eric D.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a nurse who relocated here from Phoenix about 10 years ago. The main reasons were retirement and quality of life.
Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Good internet infrastructure
- Active local events and festivals
Cons that are real:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Homeless population growing downtown
Financially, we've found it average compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are stable, gas is surprisingly good.
Socially, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Feel free to reach out with questions..
9 upvotes
Henry
I've lived in North for about 14 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. When I first moved here from Dallas, I was surprised by walkability. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good schools in most areas
- Strong job market in several industries
- The outdoor recreation scene is solid
The downsides:
- Can feel isolated
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for families. Feel free to reach out with questions..
8 upvotes
Aurora Morales
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a data analyst, 52, moved here 9 years ago from Pittsburgh. I've lived in Sunset and South, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Low crime in most neighborhoods
2. Good airport with direct flights
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Not very walkable outside downtown
3. The safety situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Sunset: Great for young professionals. challenging vibes, walkable.
- South: 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 Pittsburgh, everything felt improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $50K-$120K here.
**Final verdict:**
Feel free to reach out with questions.. 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.
7 upvotes
Robert S.
spot on
6 upvotes
living_nevaeh42
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a nurse who relocated here from Austin about 3 years ago. The main reasons were work and my partner's job.
Pros I've experienced:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Active local events and festivals
- Affordable housing options
Cons that are real:
- Winters are long and cold
- Property taxes are high
Financially, we've found it better than expected compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are wild, gas is decent.
Socially, I'm still on the fence after all this time. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
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