Hi all, The unemployment rate is 2.9%, which is pretty low. Rent is about $1,574/month for a decent place. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The weather takes some getting used to. Has anyone dealt with this? The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus.
5 upvotes
23 Replies
Maya C.
Came here for retirement and stayed because I love the pace of life here. The safety is honestly pretty good and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
38 upvotes
Alexa Taylor
as a local I can confirm
36 upvotes
Randy P.
I've lived in Sunset for about 6 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's improved dramatically in recent years. When I first moved here from San Francisco, I was surprised by community vibe. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Affordable housing options
- The housing market scene is average
The downsides:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Can feel isolated
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for singles. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
34 upvotes
Ellie Jackson
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem surprisingly good.
I've been here 6 years and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The thing nobody mentions is cultural scene. It's reasonable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the weather is legit. And if you're into camping, this place is better than expected.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Meadowbrook side vs the The Heights side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Hope this helps!.
33 upvotes
Gabriel
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Highland for 7 years. Moved from Raleigh for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is challenging. We bought in 2015 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. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
legal is strong here. legal is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are reasonable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's been a really good experience overall. The outdoor scene is pretty good - 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 better than expected. 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. Winters are long and cold. Limited shopping options. And pet-friendliness can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 7/10. It's not for everyone but it works for us.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
29 upvotes
Samuel Davis
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem better than expected.
I've been here 1 years and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The thing nobody mentions is cost of living. It's developing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the nightlife is legit. And if you're into fishing, this place is excellent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Eastside side vs the Oak Park side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Definitely worth checking out..
29 upvotes
Lillian C.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a teacher, 32, moved here 6 years ago from Minneapolis. I've lived in Downtown and Maple Ridge, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Lots of new development happening
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Rising rent and home prices
3. The traffic situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Downtown: Great for families. tough vibes, walkable.
- Maple Ridge: 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 Minneapolis, everything felt challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $40K-$100K 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.
29 upvotes
Scarlett
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's not perfect but it works for me. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
29 upvotes
Quinn Rivera
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Downtown for 6 years. Moved from Tampa for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is challenging. We bought in 2017 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
finance is strong here. manufacturing 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'm still on the fence after all this time. 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 decent. 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. Road conditions need improvement. And weather 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.
26 upvotes
Waylon Turner
haha yep pretty much
24 upvotes
Silas Wood
accurate
23 upvotes
jaxrunner2020
My experience has been mostly positive. I love the pace of life here. The only thing I'd watch out for is cultural scene. Other than that, It's not for everyone but it works for us..
22 upvotes
William
Hot take but it's improved dramatically in recent years. I know a lot of people disagree but after 10 years here, that's my honest assessment.
19 upvotes
Paisley Rodriguez
accurate
19 upvotes
Abigail Ramos
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 1-bedroom. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Compared to Pittsburgh it's challenging.
16 upvotes
Aiden Robinson
underrated comment
14 upvotes
Isabella M.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value pet-friendliness, you'll love it. The community vibe is genuinely surprisingly good and I've found there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. My neighborhood (Pine Hills) is growing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Boston, be prepared for the culture shock. community vibe is completely different here. And Property taxes are high.
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.
14 upvotes
Isabelle Ruiz
Came here for family and stayed because I genuinely enjoy living here. The weather is honestly decent and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
9 upvotes
Madelyn Lee
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in The Heights for 3 years. Moved from Austin for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is solid. We bought in 2015 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. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
real estate is strong here. marketing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are wild for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's improved dramatically in recent years. The outdoor scene is better than expected - 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. The Heights 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. Road conditions need improvement. Far from beaches/mountains. And walkability can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 8/10. It's not for everyone but it works for us.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
8 upvotes
Kai T.
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. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
4 upvotes
Parker
nah I disagree
3 upvotes
Victoria Ward
We moved here with our family and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Schools in Eastside area are improving. Kids love it here.
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