First post here. I'm retired and It's a a smaller city city with about 50,821 people. The median home value here is around $143,500, which is actually reasonable. Average temperature is around 60--F, so the weather is moderate. Crime rate is something to consider -Enid sits at 411.3 per 100K. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. I'd say it's better for families than young singles.
Pros:
- Low taxes
- Lots of new development
- Good internet infrastructure
- Good airport connections
Cons:
- Rising rent prices
- High property taxes
- Poor road conditions
- Homelessness issues downtown
What neighborhoods would you suggest? Cheers. The city has invested a lot in new development. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The suburbs are where most families end up. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The suburbs are where most families end up. The suburbs are where most families end up. I'd say it's better for families than young singles.
29 upvotes
14 Replies
Axel James
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a HR manager, 38, moved here 10 years ago from Atlanta. I've lived in Old Town and The Heights, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Decent public transit for the size
2. Good airport with direct flights
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not a lot of cultural diversity
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The pet-friendliness situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Old Town: Great for remote workers. tough vibes, walkable.
- The Heights: 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 Atlanta, everything felt decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $60K-$70K 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
Clara Miller
I've lived in Highland for about 2 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 Boston, I was surprised by job market. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Good airport with direct flights
- The traffic scene is improving
The downsides:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Far from beaches/mountains
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for remote workers. Definitely worth checking out..
38 upvotes
Vivian P.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value walkability, you'll love it. The public transit is genuinely surprisingly good and I've found I love the pace of life here. My neighborhood (The Heights) is developing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Seattle, be prepared for the culture shock. public transit is completely different here. And Urban sprawl is real.
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.
37 upvotes
Hunter Sanders
been saying this for years
34 upvotes
Nova Ward
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value community vibe, you'll love it. The traffic is genuinely excellent and I've found it's not perfect but it works for me. My neighborhood (Sunset) is manageable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Boston, be prepared for the culture shock. cost of living 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.
29 upvotes
Adam
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem better than expected.
I've been here 10 years and the quality of life is solid. The thing nobody mentions is community vibe. It's pricey and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the job market is legit. And if you're into photography, this place is underrated.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The West side vs the Fairview side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
23 upvotes
Sarah C.
glad someone said it
22 upvotes
dallasguy2020
Moved here last year, no regrets.
21 upvotes
Wyatt Baker
Weather-wise, the summers are hit or miss and winters are affordable. You get used to it after the first year.
21 upvotes
Jace
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is housing market. it's exactly what I was looking for. Worth doing your research before committing.
20 upvotes
Joseph
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 14 years ago from LA and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Oak Park. It's decent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in real estate. If you're in marketing you might struggle.
People: Generally tough. It took about 6 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: excellent. Tons of options if you like Asian.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
13 upvotes
Allison
+1
9 upvotes
Kayden Baker
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 9 years ago from Denver and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Highland. It's tough for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in real estate. If you're in retail you might struggle.
People: Generally challenging. It took about 3 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: underrated. Tons of options if you like Indian.