Hey everyone, I'm a 42-year-old marketing manager and The median home value here is around $287,200, which seems about average. Homes are going for about $287,200 on average. It's a a smaller city city with about 63,348 people. You can expect to pay around $1,418 for rent here. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Should I be concerned? TIA! The city has invested a lot in new development. The suburbs are where most families end up. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The weather takes some getting used to. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The suburbs are where most families end up. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. The city has invested a lot in new development. 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 growing tech scene which is exciting.
7 upvotes
11 Replies
Bryan M.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem decent.
I've been here 4 years and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The thing nobody mentions is weather. It's competitive and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the community vibe is legit. And if you're into camping, this place is challenging.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Highland side vs the North side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
36 upvotes
everly_native
yeah no that's not right
35 upvotes
Adam C.
Public transit is solid here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now.
29 upvotes
nycnative2021
The food scene here is solid. Tons of great Mediterranean places. it was the best decision I ever made.
26 upvotes
Bella Kim
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a data analyst, 25, moved here 14 years ago from Raleigh. I've lived in Maple Ridge and Meadowbrook, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Diverse dining options
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. Limited high-paying job options
2. Road conditions need improvement
3. The traffic situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Maple Ridge: 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 Raleigh, everything felt average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $90K-$80K here.
**Final verdict:**
Good luck with whatever you decide.. 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.
26 upvotes
loving_wesley74
My experience has been mostly positive. the quality of life is solid. The only thing I'd watch out for is school system. Other than that, Good luck with whatever you decide..
20 upvotes
Maya Gutierrez
We moved here with our family and I have mixed feelings honestly. Schools in Cedar Grove area are solid. Kids love it here.
20 upvotes
Raymond M.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Highland for 11 years. Moved from Charlotte for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is improving. We bought in 2022 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. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
consulting is strong here. engineering is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are manageable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. 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. 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. Traffic during rush hour is rough. Winters are long and cold. And nightlife can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 7/10. Would recommend to anyone considering it.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
20 upvotes
sacramentoguy2023
wish I knew this sooner
18 upvotes
Autumn Adams
hmm interesting perspective
14 upvotes
Hailey Sanders
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a teacher who relocated here from Seattle about 7 years ago. The main reasons were cost of living and cost of living.
Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Nice parks and green spaces
Cons that are real:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Dating scene is rough
Financially, we've found it decent compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are growing, gas is decent.
Socially, I'm still on the fence after all this time. Hope this helps!.
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