Been meaning to ask this. Homes are going for about $393,500 on average. Average temperature is around 56°F, so the weather is moderate. Poverty rate is 11.6%, which is around average. The unemployment rate is 4.6%, which is about average. The median home value here is around $393,500, which seems about average. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. The city has invested a lot in new development. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years.
Pros:
- Great weather
- Good job market
- Good healthcare facilities
- Active local events
- Good airport connections
Cons:
- Limited public transit
- High property taxes
- Mosquitoes and humidity
- Not enough green space
Am I overthinking this? Property taxes are high but you get good services. The city has invested a lot in new development. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The suburbs are where most families end up. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The weather takes some getting used to. It's changing fast — some good, some not so much. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Night life is decent if you know the right spots.
42 upvotes
26 Replies
Isaac
not my experience at all
40 upvotes
Parker Mendoza
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value community vibe, you'll love it. The community vibe is genuinely tough and I've found it's been a really good experience overall. My neighborhood (The Heights) is reasonable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Miami, be prepared for the culture shock. weather 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.
40 upvotes
Wyatt Perez
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a nurse, 49, moved here 4 years ago from Houston. I've lived in Uptown and Pine Hills, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Good schools in most areas
3. Strong job market in several industries
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not a lot of cultural diversity
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The job market situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Uptown: Great for singles. decent 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 Houston, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $100K-$90K 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.
40 upvotes
Maya Rivera
I've been living here for 6 years and I'd say I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The housing market is average compared to other places I've lived. Overall Feel free to reach out with questions..
39 upvotes
Thomas Kelly
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 San Diego for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is underrated. We bought in 2020 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
manufacturing is strong here. retail 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:**
I have mixed feelings honestly. The outdoor scene is challenging - we have biking 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 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. Urban sprawl is real. Road conditions need improvement. And walkability can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 8/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
36 upvotes
Elena R.
seconding this
35 upvotes
Leonardo M.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem average.
I've been here 5 years and the quality of life is solid. The thing nobody mentions is nightlife. It's reasonable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the housing market is legit. And if you're into fishing, this place is tough.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Fairview 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..
34 upvotes
Elijah Rodriguez
I've lived in Eastside for about 14 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's exactly what I was looking for. When I first moved here from Seattle, I was surprised by outdoor recreation. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- The public transit scene is hit or miss
The downsides:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Urban sprawl is real
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for families. Good luck with whatever you decide..
32 upvotes
Abigail Morgan
I've lived in North for about 12 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's been a really good experience overall. When I first moved here from LA, I was surprised by weather. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Decent public transit for the size
- The pet-friendliness scene is improving
The downsides:
- Limited high-paying job options
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for young professionals. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
32 upvotes
Easton L.
Moved here from Nashville about 3 years ago. it was the best decision I ever made. Still getting used to public transit but No regrets on my end..
30 upvotes
Bella Gonzalez
We moved here with our family and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Schools in Meadowbrook area are better than expected. Kids love it here.
29 upvotes
Linda B.
I've lived in Eastside for about 10 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I love the pace of life here. When I first moved here from Portland, I was surprised by food scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Active local events and festivals
- The walkability scene is pretty good
The downsides:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Far from beaches/mountains
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for remote workers. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
29 upvotes
Arianna Scott
literally same
26 upvotes
Victoria Kelly
The food scene here is underrated. Tons of great BBQ places. it's exactly what I was looking for.
26 upvotes
Jackson Kelly
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Highland for 11 years. Moved from Tampa for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is excellent. We bought in 2018 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. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
healthcare is strong here. education 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's not perfect but it works for me. The outdoor scene is hit or miss - 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 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. Limited high-paying job options. Not a lot of cultural diversity. And school system can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 5/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
22 upvotes
caroline_mind
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 Boston for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is better than expected. We bought in 2019 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. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
marketing is strong here. finance is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are stable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I love the pace of life 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. Highland schools are excellent. 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. Traffic during rush hour is rough. Far from beaches/mountains. And walkability can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 7/10. Definitely worth checking out.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
13 upvotes
Luca R.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value walkability, you'll love it. The traffic is genuinely average and I've found it exceeded my expectations. My neighborhood (Uptown) is manageable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from San Diego, be prepared for the culture shock. food scene is completely different here. And Traffic during rush hour 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.
13 upvotes
sacramentovibes2022
preach
9 upvotes
Brooklyn Hernandez
big facts right here
9 upvotes
miamikid2022
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a pharmacist, 48, moved here 7 years ago from Phoenix. I've lived in South and Uptown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good internet infrastructure
2. Close to major attractions
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally solid - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Chain restaurants dominate
3. The traffic situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- South: Great for couples. tough vibes, walkable.
- Uptown: 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 Phoenix, everything felt better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $80K-$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.
8 upvotes
Melanie Collins
I've been living here for 6 years and I'd say I genuinely enjoy living here. The outdoor recreation is underrated compared to other places I've lived. Overall Feel free to reach out with questions..
8 upvotes
Jaxon Johnson
lol so true
8 upvotes
Thomas Mendoza
Moved here last year, no regrets.
7 upvotes
Alexa
I'm a contractor and I've found it's been a really good experience overall. The community is hit or miss and there's always something going on.
4 upvotes
Elizabeth Collins
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem tough.
I've been here 7 years and I love the pace of life here. The thing nobody mentions is weather. It's reasonable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the walkability is legit. And if you're into camping, this place is improving.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The North side vs the Lakewood side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
1 upvotes
Sofia Cooper
We moved here with our family and it's been a really good experience overall. Schools in Highland area are surprisingly good. Kids love it here.
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