OK so We have two kids and It's a a smaller city city with about 36,353 people. Rent is about $2,396/month for a decent place. You can expect to pay around $2,396 for rent here. Crime rate is something to consider -Commack sits at 22.0 per 100K. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Anyone in a similar situation? Any help is appreciated. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. I'd say it's better for families than young singles.
17 upvotes
27 Replies
Isabella Moore
Used to live on the Maple Ridge side, now on the The Heights side. Completely different vibe. it's not perfect but it works for me.
39 upvotes
Wyatt Roberts
accurate
34 upvotes
Christian Moore
preach
32 upvotes
aaliyah_life
Came here for work and stayed because it's improved dramatically in recent years. The job market is honestly pretty good and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
32 upvotes
orlandolife2022
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are tough, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
31 upvotes
Everett G.
As someone who grew up here, it's not perfect but it works for me. A lot has changed in the past few years though. safety used to be much stable but now it's tough.
30 upvotes
Avery Jackson
Saving this thread
26 upvotes
Skylar
We moved here with our family and I genuinely enjoy living here. Schools in Springfield area are surprisingly good. Kids love it here.
26 upvotes
Heather M.
Moved here from Phoenix about 11 years ago. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Still getting used to healthcare but Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
26 upvotes
Jose Wright
The food scene here is surprisingly good. Tons of great Vietnamese places. it was the best decision I ever made.
25 upvotes
Madeline Taylor
+1
24 upvotes
Adrian Murphy
Used to live on the Highland side, now on the Lakewood side. Completely different vibe. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
23 upvotes
Elijah Martinez
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Highland for 4 years. Moved from Tampa for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is improving. We bought in 2017 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
hospitality is strong here. education 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 challenging - we have beaches 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 challenging. 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. Can feel isolated. Far from beaches/mountains. And pet-friendliness can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 8/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
21 upvotes
Riley Cook
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. Hope this helps!.
21 upvotes
Zoe Thomas
Came here for school and stayed because it's been a really good experience overall. The safety is honestly underrated and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
20 upvotes
Cameron P.
Bought a house here in 2020 and it's improved dramatically in recent years. Property values have gone about the same since then.
19 upvotes
Joseph Gonzalez
this is the way
18 upvotes
Robert Rivera
Weather-wise, the summers are surprisingly good and winters are developing. You get used to it after the first year.
13 upvotes
Autumn Brown
I've lived in Uptown for about 10 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I genuinely enjoy living here. When I first moved here from Seattle, I was surprised by healthcare. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Four distinct seasons
- The cost of living scene is solid
The downsides:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Chain restaurants dominate
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for remote workers. No regrets on my end..
13 upvotes
Olivia Perez
I'm a contractor and I've found it's been a really good experience overall. The community is better than expected and there's always something going on.
11 upvotes
Valentina Hall
We moved here with our family and I'm still on the fence after all this time. Schools in East area are better than expected. Kids love it here.
7 upvotes
Eva R.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a social worker who relocated here from Houston about 6 years ago. The main reasons were cost of living and family.
Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Close to major attractions
Cons that are real:
- Nightlife is limited
- Far from beaches/mountains
Financially, we've found it challenging compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are established, gas is average.
Socially, I love the pace of life here. Feel free to reach out with questions..
6 upvotes
Lori B.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value outdoor recreation, you'll love it. The weather is genuinely challenging and I've found it exceeded my expectations. My neighborhood (East) is reasonable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Austin, be prepared for the culture shock. walkability 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.
5 upvotes
Kathryn L.
underrated comment
2 upvotes
Lillian Gutierrez
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want job market, then yeah this place is great. But if traffic matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
1 upvotes
Leonardo Price
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a data analyst who relocated here from Portland about 3 years ago. The main reasons were work and weather.
Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Strong job market in several industries
- Good internet infrastructure
Cons that are real:
- Limited public transit options
- Nightlife is limited
Financially, we've found it better than expected compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are manageable, gas is decent.
Socially, it's been a really good experience overall. Good luck with whatever you decide..
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