It's a a small town city with about 12,374 people. With a population of 12,374, Escanaba is a small town. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. The city has invested a lot in new development. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Property taxes are high but you get good services.
15 upvotes
13 Replies
Josiah Davis
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a lawyer, 56, moved here 9 years ago from Pittsburgh. I've lived in The Heights and Riverside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Lots of new development happening
4. The people are generally solid - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The cultural scene situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- The Heights: Great for couples. pretty good vibes, walkable.
- Riverside: 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 Pittsburgh, everything felt improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $100K-$130K 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.
40 upvotes
Joshua
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want outdoor recreation, then yeah this place is great. But if food scene matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
37 upvotes
Brooklyn Castillo
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Highland for 9 years. Moved from Phoenix for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is tough. We bought in 2015 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
consulting is strong here. real estate is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are affordable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I'm still on the fence after all this time. The outdoor scene is average - 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. Winters are long and cold. Rising rent and home prices. And food scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 6/10. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
33 upvotes
Greyson Jackson
I've lived in Eastside for about 8 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I have mixed feelings honestly. When I first moved here from Pittsburgh, I was surprised by pet-friendliness. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Lots of new development happening
- The cost of living scene is improving
The downsides:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Urban sprawl is real
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for retirees. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
28 upvotes
cool_noah73
underrated comment
27 upvotes
Madelyn B.
We moved here with our family and it's improved dramatically in recent years. Schools in Westside area are decent. Kids love it here.
25 upvotes
Caleb
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem surprisingly good.
I've been here 2 years and I have mixed feelings honestly. The thing nobody mentions is weather. It's wild and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the weather is legit. And if you're into biking, 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.
Definitely worth checking out..
22 upvotes
Grayson Taylor
same here
16 upvotes
Natalie Gray
honestly same experience here
13 upvotes
Asher Hughes
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Fairview for 8 years. Moved from Portland for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is challenging. We bought in 2016 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
marketing is strong here. marketing 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:**
it's been a really good experience overall. The outdoor scene is better than expected - we have beaches within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Fairview schools are hit or miss. 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. Urban sprawl is real. And dating scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 5/10. It's not for everyone but it works for us.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
13 upvotes
Ryan Patel
Moved here from Minneapolis about 15 years ago. it was the best decision I ever made. Still getting used to job market but Definitely worth checking out..
12 upvotes
Sarah M.
The food scene here is challenging. Tons of great BBQ places. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
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