Hey, Homes are going for about $478,800 on average. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. What are your go-to spots?
28 upvotes
25 Replies
Anna Scott
Moved here last year, no regrets.
40 upvotes
Angel S.
My experience has been mostly positive. it was the best decision I ever made. The only thing I'd watch out for is pet-friendliness. Other than that, Would recommend to anyone considering it..
38 upvotes
Evelyn T.
not my experience at all
36 upvotes
Mia Ross
Can confirm, been here 13 years.
34 upvotes
Brielle Chavez
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I'm still on the fence after all this time. Happy to answer more specific questions..
34 upvotes
Leonardo Ramirez
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is school system. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Worth doing your research before committing.
32 upvotes
Leonardo
Saving this thread
30 upvotes
Joseph Baker
wish I knew this sooner
24 upvotes
Nathan Smith
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I have mixed feelings honestly. Internet is challenging in most areas.
23 upvotes
Miles Evans
Weather-wise, the summers are surprisingly good and winters are established. You get used to it after the first year.
22 upvotes
Jayden M.
Bought a house here in 2023 and I have mixed feelings honestly. Property values have gone up significantly since then.
22 upvotes
Silas Nguyen
facts
21 upvotes
Quinn Foster
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a physical therapist who relocated here from Portland about 13 years ago. The main reasons were weather and cost of living.
Pros I've experienced:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Good healthcare facilities
- Good airport with direct flights
Cons that are real:
- Limited public transit options
- Dating scene is rough
Financially, we've found it hit or miss compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are competitive, gas is improving.
Socially, I genuinely enjoy living here. Definitely worth checking out..
19 upvotes
Isla Green
I've lived in Highland for about 9 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I have mixed feelings honestly. When I first moved here from New York, I was surprised by cultural scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good schools in most areas
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- The nightlife scene is better than expected
The downsides:
- Winters are long and cold
- Urban sprawl is real
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for couples. No regrets on my end..
18 upvotes
Emilia Gutierrez
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are tough, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
14 upvotes
Eliana Sanchez
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value traffic, you'll love it. The job market is genuinely pretty good and I've found I have mixed feelings honestly. My neighborhood (Meadowbrook) is stable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Portland, be prepared for the culture shock. walkability is completely different here. And Not very walkable outside 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.
13 upvotes
Andrew Cruz
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Downtown for 3 years. Moved from Phoenix for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is better than expected. We bought in 2017 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:**
real estate is strong here. healthcare 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 genuinely enjoy living here. The outdoor scene is excellent - 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. Downtown schools are underrated. 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 shopping options. Limited entertainment options. And dating scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 7/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
12 upvotes
Hudson P.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem average.
I've been here 2 years and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The thing nobody mentions is community vibe. It's established and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the safety is legit. And if you're into kayaking, this place is solid.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The The Heights side vs the Cedar Grove side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
12 upvotes
Henry Smith
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a writer, 36, moved here 4 years ago from Charlotte. I've lived in Eastside and Highland, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good healthcare facilities
2. Active local events and festivals
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally solid - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Not very walkable outside downtown
3. The housing market situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Eastside: Great for remote workers. excellent vibes, walkable.
- Highland: 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 Charlotte, everything felt better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $50K-$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.
11 upvotes
Parker Thomas
big facts right here
11 upvotes
Elena
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I genuinely enjoy living here. Internet is decent in most areas.
8 upvotes
Leonardo Collins
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a data analyst, 38, moved here 13 years ago from Seattle. I've lived in Downtown and North, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Nice parks and green spaces
3. Good healthcare facilities
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not very walkable outside downtown
2. Limited high-paying job options
3. The walkability situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Downtown: Great for retirees. hit or miss vibes, walkable.
- North: 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 solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $50K-$120K here.
**Final verdict:**
Feel free to reach out with 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.
6 upvotes
Peyton C.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 10 years ago from LA and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Sunset. It's surprisingly good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in retail. If you're in marketing you might struggle.
People: Generally tough. It took about 16 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: pretty good. Tons of options if you like Indian.
Definitely worth checking out..
3 upvotes
Denise N.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Internet is solid in most areas.
3 upvotes
Dominic Reed
Moved here from Pittsburgh about 5 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..
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