Hello, I work in government and Rent is about $751/month for a decent place. Homes are going for about $145,300 on average. Poverty rate is 8.2%, which is pretty low. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Am I wrong here? Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The food scene here is surprisingly good. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus.
9 upvotes
15 Replies
Harper Hall
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Highland for 13 years. Moved from Baltimore for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is average. 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:**
tech is strong here. real estate is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are affordable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's improved dramatically in recent years. The outdoor scene is tough - 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 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. Summers can be brutally hot. Property taxes are high. And school system can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 5/10. Hope this helps!. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
40 upvotes
Leah
Totally agree!
39 upvotes
Luna P.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Old Town for 6 years. Moved from Nashville for family. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is improving. We bought in 2019 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
construction is strong here. healthcare 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:**
it exceeded my expectations. The outdoor scene is solid - we have desert landscapes within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Old Town schools are average. 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. Urban sprawl is real. Property taxes are high. And cost of living can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 5/10. Hope this helps!. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
38 upvotes
Isaiah Hall
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a accountant who relocated here from Atlanta about 1 years ago. The main reasons were my partner's job and weather.
Pros I've experienced:
- Decent public transit for the size
- Good internet infrastructure
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Limited entertainment options
Financially, we've found it better than expected compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are manageable, gas is average.
Socially, I'm still on the fence after all this time. No regrets on my end..
33 upvotes
Mark C.
I've been living here for 13 years and I'd say I genuinely enjoy living here. The outdoor recreation is solid compared to other places I've lived. Overall Would recommend to anyone considering it..
31 upvotes
Audrey B.
Bought a house here in 2015 and it's improved dramatically in recent years. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
30 upvotes
Heather P.
same here
25 upvotes
Emily Ortiz
As someone who grew up here, it's improved dramatically in recent years. A lot has changed in the past few years though. cultural scene used to be much affordable but now it's decent.
24 upvotes
Tyler W.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 9 years ago from Chicago and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Old Town. It's decent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is reasonable right now, especially in manufacturing. If you're in tech you might struggle.
People: Generally better than expected. It took about 18 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: decent. Tons of options if you like craft beer.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
21 upvotes
indy_kinsley
exactly what I was thinking
17 upvotes
Henry Wright
The food scene here is improving. Tons of great Southern places. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
16 upvotes
Thomas Richardson
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value traffic, you'll love it. The outdoor recreation is genuinely surprisingly good and I've found the quality of life is solid. My neighborhood (Uptown) is affordable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Boston, be prepared for the culture shock. food scene is completely different here. And Limited high-paying job 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.
11 upvotes
Stella D.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a nurse who relocated here from Austin about 8 years ago. The main reasons were school and my partner's job.
Pros I've experienced:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Nightlife is limited
- Property taxes are high
Financially, we've found it tough compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are developing, gas is challenging.
Socially, it's exactly what I was looking for. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
5 upvotes
Genesis
big facts right here
2 upvotes
vegas_ethan
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value public transit, you'll love it. The job market is genuinely decent and I've found I genuinely enjoy living here. My neighborhood (Springfield) is affordable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Austin, be prepared for the culture shock. dating scene is completely different here. And Summers can be brutally hot.
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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