Curious what people think. Rent is about $2,395/month for a decent place. The median home value here is around $1,054,700, which is pretty steep. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look.
6 upvotes
7 Replies
wild_violet50
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Highland for 10 years. Moved from Dallas for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is better than expected. We bought in 2021 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:**
real estate is strong here. finance 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 surprisingly good - 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 better than expected. 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. Dating scene is rough. And pet-friendliness can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 5/10. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
29 upvotes
Ralph W.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem decent.
I've been here 7 years and the quality of life is solid. The thing nobody mentions is safety. It's manageable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the school system is legit. And if you're into fishing, this place is average.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Cedar Grove side vs the Maple Ridge side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
21 upvotes
Nova Richardson
I work in marketing here and it's been a really good experience overall. The job market for my field is decent. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
18 upvotes
Emily Ward
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are underrated, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
15 upvotes
Jonathan Young
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem surprisingly good.
I've been here 6 years and it was the best decision I ever made. The thing nobody mentions is walkability. It's reasonable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the safety is legit. And if you're into mountain biking, this place is excellent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Lakewood side vs the Greenfield side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Definitely worth checking out..
13 upvotes
Ezra A.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 6 years ago from LA and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Oak Park. It's excellent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in tech. If you're in real estate you might struggle.
People: Generally better than expected. It took about 15 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: pretty good. Tons of options if you like Italian.
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