Hey folks, I'm a teacher here and Rent is about $1,269/month for a decent place. The median home value here is around $338,300, which seems about average. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. What are your go-to spots? Appreciate any input. 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.
11 upvotes
21 Replies
Reagan Cook
great question, following
40 upvotes
Kayden Anderson
Public transit is hit or miss here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's improved dramatically in recent years.
35 upvotes
Jonathan Cooper
hard disagree but ok
34 upvotes
Julian
spot on
32 upvotes
Nova Morgan
accurate
30 upvotes
Julia B.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want cost of living, then yeah this place is great. But if community vibe matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
29 upvotes
Ethan Lee
We moved here with our family and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Schools in Cedar Grove area are pretty good. Kids love it here.
29 upvotes
Ava Cruz
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Midtown for 5 years. Moved from LA for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is better than expected. We bought in 2015 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
manufacturing is strong here. real estate 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 genuinely enjoy living here. The outdoor scene is better than expected - 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. Midtown schools are improving. 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. Rising rent and home prices. Not a lot of cultural diversity. And walkability can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 9/10. Hope this helps!. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
29 upvotes
Grace Patel
Hot take but it's exactly what I was looking for. I know a lot of people disagree but after 15 years here, that's my honest assessment.
27 upvotes
Sebastian Foster
underrated comment
27 upvotes
Karen M.
Hot take but it exceeded my expectations. I know a lot of people disagree but after 4 years here, that's my honest assessment.
25 upvotes
Carol E.
I work in manufacturing here and it's exactly what I was looking for. The job market for my field is hit or miss. Happy to answer more specific questions..
25 upvotes
Aubrey L.
thanks for sharing
23 upvotes
Kimberly J.
Used to live on the Oak Park side, now on the Meadowbrook side. Completely different vibe. it's not perfect but it works for me.
17 upvotes
Serenity Reed
+1
16 upvotes
Isabella Hughes
Moved here from Charlotte about 15 years ago. it exceeded my expectations. Still getting used to public transit but Would recommend to anyone considering it..
13 upvotes
Ethan G.
Came here for work and stayed because I love the pace of life here. The community vibe is honestly surprisingly good and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
11 upvotes
Samuel Chavez
Came here for work and stayed because the quality of life is solid. The safety is honestly solid and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
9 upvotes
Serenity B.
I've lived in Highland for about 1 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. When I first moved here from Atlanta, I was surprised by food scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good schools in most areas
- Active local events and festivals
- The cost of living scene is average
The downsides:
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
- Road conditions need improvement
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for young professionals. Happy to answer more specific questions..
7 upvotes
Cooper
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value safety, you'll love it. The nightlife is genuinely challenging and I've found I love the pace of life here. My neighborhood (Downtown) is growing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Portland, be prepared for the culture shock. food scene is completely different here. And Limited public transit 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.
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