Hello, The median home value here is around $234,500, which is actually reasonable. Median household income is $65,327, which feels about average for the area. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Thanks in advance! Property taxes are high but you get good services. The suburbs are where most families end up. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The weather takes some getting used to. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable.
31 upvotes
29 Replies
zoe_living
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I love the pace of life here. Hope this helps!.
40 upvotes
Vincent B.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Highland for 12 years. Moved from Houston for family. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is underrated. We bought in 2018 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
hospitality is strong here. finance is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are competitive for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's improved dramatically in recent years. The outdoor scene is underrated - 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. Highland schools are underrated. 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. Urban sprawl is real. Limited high-paying job options. And healthcare can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 6/10. Would recommend to anyone considering it.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
36 upvotes
Maverick R.
Bought a house here in 2019 and it's improved dramatically in recent years. Property values have gone about the same since then.
36 upvotes
Oliver Bennett
100%
34 upvotes
Waylon H.
wish I knew this sooner
34 upvotes
Elizabeth K.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in North for 1 years. Moved from Chicago for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is underrated. We bought in 2024 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. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
retail is strong here. tech 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:**
I'm still on the fence after all this time. The outdoor scene is decent - 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. North schools are decent. 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. Far from beaches/mountains. And weather can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 9/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
32 upvotes
Grace Johnson
I work in marketing here and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The job market for my field is better than expected. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
31 upvotes
Jordan Castillo
yep
30 upvotes
Emma Morris
seconding this
28 upvotes
Sadie G.
couldn't agree more
25 upvotes
Sadie S.
as a local I can confirm
24 upvotes
Aaron R.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in East for 2 years. Moved from Charlotte for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is decent. We bought in 2023 at k and it's now worth down slightly 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:**
healthcare is strong here. retail is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are wild for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The outdoor scene is average - we have hiking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. East 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. Limited high-paying job options. Chain restaurants dominate. And walkability can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 5/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
24 upvotes
Adam Jackson
couldn't agree more
21 upvotes
Violet Perez
hmm interesting perspective
21 upvotes
Dominic M.
accurate
19 upvotes
Brian F.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value food scene, you'll love it. The cultural scene is genuinely average and I've found I have mixed feelings honestly. My neighborhood (Oak Park) is developing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Boston, be prepared for the culture shock. healthcare is completely different here. And Road conditions need improvement.
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.
13 upvotes
Ethan Watson
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are solid, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
12 upvotes
Hailey Anderson
I work in hospitality here and it's improved dramatically in recent years. The job market for my field is challenging. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
12 upvotes
Jack Scott
I'm a teacher and I've found it's exactly what I was looking for. The community is tough and there's always something going on.
12 upvotes
living_josiah71
haha yep pretty much
12 upvotes
Isabelle
Moved here last year, no regrets.
9 upvotes
Jose Cox
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 2-bedroom. it's been a really good experience overall. Compared to Salt Lake City it's average.
9 upvotes
Levi G.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want cost of living, then yeah this place is great. But if housing market matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
7 upvotes
Ava Lopez
underrated comment
7 upvotes
Chloe Lee
wish I knew this sooner
6 upvotes
Madelyn R.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 1 years ago from San Diego and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Riverside. It's improving for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in tech. If you're in manufacturing you might struggle.
People: Generally solid. It took about 3 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: better than expected. Tons of options if you like BBQ.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
5 upvotes
Nora P.
Used to live on the Fairview side, now on the Old Town side. Completely different vibe. I love the pace of life here.
3 upvotes
Thomas Williams
honestly same experience here
3 upvotes
Parker Martin
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a social worker, 51, moved here 2 years ago from Minneapolis. I've lived in Oak Park and Meadowbrook, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Good internet infrastructure
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Homeless population growing downtown
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The traffic situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Oak Park: Great for remote workers. hit or miss vibes, walkable.
- Meadowbrook: 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 Minneapolis, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $100K-$150K here.
**Final verdict:**
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. 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.
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