I'm single, late 30s, and Median household income is $88,316, which feels pretty solid for the area. Crime rate is something to consider -Elgin sits at 198.9 per 100K. Homes are going for about $252,400 on average. You can expect to pay around $1,260 for rent here. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The suburbs are where most families end up.
Pros:
- Affordable cost of living
- Diverse community
- Good healthcare facilities
Cons:
- Sprawl everywhere
- Few job opportunities in some fields
- Chain restaurants dominate
What do you all think? The weather takes some getting used to. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The weather takes some getting used to. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The city has invested a lot in new development. The city has invested a lot in new development. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The city has invested a lot in new development.
42 upvotes
27 Replies
Elizabeth Hall
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a lawyer, 32, moved here 13 years ago from Salt Lake City. I've lived in Fairview and Springfield, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Four distinct seasons
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Road conditions need improvement
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The public transit situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Fairview: Great for remote workers. pretty good vibes, walkable.
- Springfield: 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 underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $80K-$130K here.
**Final verdict:**
Definitely worth checking out.. 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.
39 upvotes
Greyson Price
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a physical therapist, 53, moved here 2 years ago from Boston. I've lived in Maple Ridge and Greenfield, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Active local events and festivals
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited shopping options
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The cost of living situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Maple Ridge: Great for young professionals. underrated vibes, walkable.
- Greenfield: 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 Boston, everything felt challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $100K-$150K 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.
38 upvotes
Valentina Lee
couldn't agree more
38 upvotes
Parker
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a writer, 25, moved here 2 years ago from Salt Lake City. I've lived in Fairview and Pine Hills, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Good schools in most areas
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not very walkable outside downtown
2. Road conditions need improvement
3. The healthcare situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Fairview: Great for families. tough vibes, walkable.
- Pine Hills: 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 hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $40K-$80K here.
**Final verdict:**
No regrets on my end.. 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.
37 upvotes
Jeremiah S.
I'm a writer and I've found it exceeded my expectations. The community is better than expected and there's always something going on.
37 upvotes
Robert Martinez
big facts right here
37 upvotes
Piper Richardson
literally same
36 upvotes
Ruby Robinson
facts
32 upvotes
Sarah Brooks
it depends on the neighborhood
32 upvotes
Joseph R.
seconding this
31 upvotes
Camila
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value healthcare, you'll love it. The healthcare is genuinely decent and I've found there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. My neighborhood (Downtown) is growing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Tampa, be prepared for the culture shock. dating scene is completely different here. And Dating scene is rough.
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.
28 upvotes
Reagan C.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a nurse who relocated here from Phoenix about 13 years ago. The main reasons were school and family.
Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Close to major attractions
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Property taxes are high
- Chain restaurants dominate
Financially, we've found it better than expected compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are stable, gas is excellent.
Socially, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
27 upvotes
Elijah B.
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's been a really good experience overall. Happy to answer more specific questions..
27 upvotes
Alexa Baker
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 3-bedroom. I love the pace of life here. Compared to Phoenix it's tough.
23 upvotes
Brielle H.
underrated comment
22 upvotes
Ruby Garcia
Came here for my partner's job and stayed because I love the pace of life here. The public transit is honestly better than expected and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
21 upvotes
Savannah L.
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's exactly what I was looking for. Feel free to reach out with questions..
16 upvotes
Aubrey L.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a lawyer who relocated here from Charlotte about 8 years ago. The main reasons were cost of living and school.
Pros I've experienced:
- Lots of new development happening
- Close to major attractions
- Affordable housing options
Cons that are real:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Dating scene is rough
Financially, we've found it underrated compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are developing, gas is hit or miss.
Socially, the quality of life is solid. Happy to answer more specific questions..
15 upvotes
Everly Perez
preach
15 upvotes
gabriella_native
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Highland for 6 years. Moved from Phoenix for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is improving. We bought in 2019 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
construction is strong here. marketing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are developing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's not perfect but it works for me. The outdoor scene is better than expected - we have lakes 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 surprisingly 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. Limited public transit options. Property taxes are high. And nightlife can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 6/10. Would recommend to anyone considering it.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
13 upvotes
Katherine
Came here for school and stayed because I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The outdoor recreation is honestly underrated and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
10 upvotes
Valentina
literally same
6 upvotes
Violet Nelson
The food scene here is decent. Tons of great seafood places. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
4 upvotes
Mackenzie
couldn't agree more
3 upvotes
Ellie P.
Used to live on the North side, now on the Lakewood side. Completely different vibe. the quality of life is solid.
3 upvotes
Ryan Brooks
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a social worker, 38, moved here 8 years ago from Nashville. I've lived in Uptown and Midtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Four distinct seasons
2. Good airport with direct flights
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not very walkable outside downtown
2. Limited shopping options
3. The weather situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Uptown: Great for remote workers. solid vibes, walkable.
- Midtown: 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 Nashville, everything felt solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $90K-$150K 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.
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