Sign In Register
Adam Taylor best-worst

Top 5 things I love about Danville

Random thought, Household incomes average around $223,206 in Danville. Crime rate is something to consider -Danville sits at 51.1 per 100K. The city has invested a lot in new development. Is this normal for Danville? Thanks!
5 upvotes

27 Replies

Levi Stewart
as a local I can confirm
40 upvotes
Marilyn H.
following this thread
40 upvotes
Ellie L.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.

If you value walkability, you'll love it. The job market is genuinely improving and I've found it's been a really good experience overall. My neighborhood (Cedar Grove) is pricey and I feel safe walking around at night.

But if you're coming from Charlotte, be prepared for the culture shock. traffic is completely different here. And Urban sprawl is real.

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.
39 upvotes
Hudson S.
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 underrated and I've found I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. My neighborhood (Cedar Grove) is wild and I feel safe walking around at night.

But if you're coming from Austin, be prepared for the culture shock. cultural scene 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.
38 upvotes
mesalocal2020
bump
37 upvotes
Santiago Walker
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.

Background: I'm a sales manager, 38, moved here 8 years ago from Denver. I've lived in West and Eastside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.

**What I love:**
1. Strong job market in several industries
2. Diverse dining options
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally average - I found my community within the first year

**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Limited shopping options
3. The outdoor recreation situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving

**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- West: Great for retirees. excellent vibes, walkable.
- Eastside: 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 Denver, everything felt average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $90K-$90K here.

**Final verdict:**
Happy to answer more specific questions.. 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.
35 upvotes
Ruby Collins
Public transit is excellent here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it exceeded my expectations.
33 upvotes
mia_rider
Weather-wise, the summers are decent and winters are developing. You get used to it after the first year.
30 upvotes
Judy P.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.

I'm a writer who relocated here from New York about 6 years ago. The main reasons were work and cost of living.

Pros I've experienced:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Four distinct seasons
- Good airport with direct flights

Cons that are real:
- Winters are long and cold
- Property taxes are high

Financially, we've found it tough compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are growing, gas is better than expected.

Socially, the quality of life is solid. Hope this helps!.
30 upvotes
Adam Sanders
Saving this thread
28 upvotes
Weston
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.

I've been in Highland for 3 years. Moved from Baltimore for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:

**Housing:**
The market right now is surprisingly good. We bought in 2016 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.

**Employment:**
legal is strong here. education is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are established for the area.

**Quality of Life:**
it exceeded my expectations. The outdoor scene is excellent - 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. Limited entertainment options. Far from beaches/mountains. And traffic can be frustrating.

**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 8/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
26 upvotes
Aiden Chavez
following this thread
26 upvotes
Oliver C.
Moved here from Raleigh about 2 years ago. it's exactly what I was looking for. Still getting used to housing market but Definitely worth checking out..
25 upvotes
Sarah Moore
I've lived in Westside for about 14 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.

it's improved dramatically in recent years. When I first moved here from Miami, I was surprised by community vibe. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.

A few things worth knowing:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Decent public transit for the size
- The dating scene scene is tough

The downsides:
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
- Can feel isolated

Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for retirees. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
24 upvotes
Jerry A.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.

Background: I'm a social worker, 28, moved here 13 years ago from Portland. I've lived in Uptown and South, and traveled to most parts of the metro.

**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Nice parks and green spaces
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year

**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Nightlife is limited
3. The housing market situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving

**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Uptown: Great for singles. underrated vibes, walkable.
- South: 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 Portland, everything felt decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $60K-$80K here.

**Final verdict:**
Hope this helps!. 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.
23 upvotes
Kai Brown
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.

I'm a HR manager who relocated here from Denver about 4 years ago. The main reasons were cost of living and work.

Pros I've experienced:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Active local events and festivals
- Affordable housing options

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 manageable, gas is better than expected.

Socially, it's improved dramatically in recent years. Feel free to reach out with questions..
23 upvotes
Gerald S.
I've lived in Fairview for about 11 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.

I genuinely enjoy living here. When I first moved here from Miami, I was surprised by healthcare. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.

A few things worth knowing:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Good healthcare facilities
- The weather scene is average

The downsides:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Property taxes are high

Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for singles. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
21 upvotes
Charlotte P.
literally same
18 upvotes
Cynthia J.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want nightlife, then yeah this place is great. But if walkability matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
17 upvotes
Aaliyah Reed
The food scene here is surprisingly good. Tons of great craft beer places. it exceeded my expectations.
12 upvotes
Camila Moore
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem average.

I've been here 11 years and it's exactly what I was looking for. The thing nobody mentions is public transit. It's developing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.

That said, the outdoor recreation is legit. And if you're into skiing, this place is tough.

Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Riverside side vs the Maple Ridge side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.

It's not for everyone but it works for us..
12 upvotes
Clara Edwards
Can confirm, been here 12 years.
10 upvotes
Ryan Turner
Hot take but I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. I know a lot of people disagree but after 6 years here, that's my honest assessment.
8 upvotes
Daniel Williams
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem challenging.

I've been here 4 years and the quality of life is solid. The thing nobody mentions is traffic. It's wild and it affects daily life more than you'd think.

That said, the community vibe is legit. And if you're into skiing, this place is better than expected.

Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Midtown side vs the Lakewood side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.

It's not for everyone but it works for us..
7 upvotes
Megan H.
hard disagree but ok
4 upvotes
Parker P.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.

I'm a sales manager who relocated here from Portland about 14 years ago. The main reasons were quality of life and quality of life.

Pros I've experienced:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Good airport with direct flights

Cons that are real:
- Limited public transit options
- Dating scene is rough

Financially, we've found it decent compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are affordable, gas is decent.

Socially, I genuinely enjoy living here. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
2 upvotes
Leonardo Reyes
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.

If you value cultural scene, you'll love it. The job market is genuinely surprisingly good and I've found it's not perfect but it works for me. My neighborhood (Lakewood) is manageable and I feel safe walking around at night.

But if you're coming from Portland, be prepared for the culture shock. housing market is completely different here. And Limited public transit options.

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.
1 upvotes
← Back to Danville Community