Homes are going for about $870,100 on average. Rent is about $2,454/month for a decent place. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Looking forward to hearing from you all. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly.
5 upvotes
6 Replies
Hailey Foster
Hot take but it's exactly what I was looking for. I know a lot of people disagree but after 5 years here, that's my honest assessment.
30 upvotes
Scarlett Campbell
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a marketing manager, 55, moved here 2 years ago from Baltimore. I've lived in North and Meadowbrook, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Close to major attractions
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally average - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not a lot of cultural diversity
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The pet-friendliness situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- North: Great for couples. average 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 Baltimore, everything felt underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $50K-$70K 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.
25 upvotes
Josiah Davis
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Highland for 14 years. Moved from Charlotte for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is better than expected. We bought in 2016 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. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
marketing is strong here. engineering 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 love the pace of life here. The outdoor scene is pretty good - we have ski resorts 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 tough. 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. Summers can be brutally hot. And cultural scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 6/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
19 upvotes
Ethan C.
The food scene here is surprisingly good. Tons of great BBQ places. the quality of life is solid.
17 upvotes
Scarlett Morales
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a real estate agent who relocated here from Portland about 8 years ago. The main reasons were retirement and weather.
Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Good airport with direct flights
Cons that are real:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Nightlife is limited
Financially, we've found it excellent compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are wild, gas is decent.
Socially, it's exactly what I was looking for. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
10 upvotes
Aaliyah Flores
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value public transit, you'll love it. The public transit is genuinely tough and I've found I genuinely enjoy living here. My neighborhood (South) is developing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Pittsburgh, be prepared for the culture shock. pet-friendliness is completely different here. And Rising rent and home prices.
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.
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