Hey folks, Military spouse here. Average temperature is around 45--F, so bundle up in winter. Median household income is $114,583, which feels pretty solid for the area. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Am I overthinking this? The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The food scene here is surprisingly good.
3 upvotes
15 Replies
chloe_mama
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a electrician who relocated here from Miami about 2 years ago. The main reasons were cost of living and a fresh start.
Pros I've experienced:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Strong job market in several industries
- Good internet infrastructure
Cons that are real:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Homeless population growing downtown
Financially, we've found it improving compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are established, gas is pretty good.
Socially, it's improved dramatically in recent years. Definitely worth checking out..
34 upvotes
Luke Jones
Public transit is average here. You'll probably need a car for most things. the quality of life is solid.
32 upvotes
Ezra Thomas
interesting, hadn't considered that
31 upvotes
Brooklyn H.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a teacher, 47, moved here 10 years ago from Salt Lake City. I've lived in Eastside and West, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
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. Bugs and humidity in summer
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The public transit situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Eastside: Great for families. pretty good vibes, walkable.
- West: 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 Salt Lake City, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $60K-$110K 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.
30 upvotes
Nicholas A.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 8 years ago from Atlanta and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in East. It's better than expected for what you get.
Jobs: The market is manageable right now, especially in legal. If you're in legal you might struggle.
People: Generally improving. It took about 15 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: challenging. Tons of options if you like Southern.
Definitely worth checking out..
26 upvotes
Kennedy Allen
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value traffic, you'll love it. The food scene is genuinely better than expected and I've found I'm still on the fence after all this time. My neighborhood (North) is reasonable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Nashville, be prepared for the culture shock. walkability is completely different here. And Homeless population growing downtown.
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.
24 upvotes
Julia Long
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a software engineer, 28, moved here 14 years ago from Seattle. I've lived in Greenfield and The Heights, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - 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 traffic situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Greenfield: Great for retirees. underrated vibes, walkable.
- The Heights: 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 Seattle, everything felt challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $50K-$70K 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.
24 upvotes
Victoria M.
nah I disagree
23 upvotes
Gianna Campbell
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Highland for 8 years. Moved from Atlanta for work. 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 up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
finance is strong here. real estate 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:**
I'm still on the fence after all this time. The outdoor scene is excellent - we have mountains 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 pretty good. 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. Nightlife is limited. Homeless population growing downtown. And housing market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 9/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
19 upvotes
Eva Mitchell
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem surprisingly good.
I've been here 5 years and I love the pace of life here. The thing nobody mentions is walkability. It's reasonable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the school system is legit. And if you're into rock climbing, this place is tough.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Maple Ridge side vs the Uptown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
16 upvotes
Emmett
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem decent.
I've been here 5 years and it's not perfect but it works for me. The thing nobody mentions is walkability. It's developing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the nightlife is legit. And if you're into golfing, this place is challenging.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Old Town side vs the Oak Park side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
12 upvotes
Henry Lopez
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem improving.
I've been here 9 years and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The thing nobody mentions is safety. It's developing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the walkability is legit. And if you're into mountain biking, this place is decent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Old Town side vs the South side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
11 upvotes
Arianna Perez
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 6 years ago from Seattle and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in West. It's underrated for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in real estate. If you're in retail you might struggle.
People: Generally underrated. It took about 15 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: surprisingly good. Tons of options if you like craft beer.
Definitely worth checking out..
10 upvotes
Zoey Taylor
Moved here from Portland about 14 years ago. I love the pace of life here. Still getting used to walkability but Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
10 upvotes
Lydia M.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 1 years ago from Baltimore and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Pine Hills. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in healthcare. If you're in marketing you might struggle.
People: Generally better than expected. It took about 3 months to build a solid friend group.
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