Anyone else feel this way? I'm a teacher here and Crime rate is something to consider -Fair Lawn sits at 21.2 per 100K. You can expect to pay around $1,908 for rent here. Average temperature is around 55--F, so the weather is moderate. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Looking forward to hearing from you all. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The suburbs are where most families end up. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The city has invested a lot in new development. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods.
21 upvotes
14 Replies
Joshua J.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a sales manager who relocated here from Minneapolis about 1 years ago. The main reasons were my partner's job and a job opportunity.
Pros I've experienced:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Good internet infrastructure
- Four distinct seasons
Cons that are real:
- Winters are long and cold
- Nightlife is limited
Financially, we've found it excellent compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are developing, gas is decent.
Socially, the quality of life is solid. Feel free to reach out with questions..
37 upvotes
Ian Flores
this is the way
36 upvotes
Sarah Miller
underrated comment
36 upvotes
Eric P.
Came here for quality of life and stayed because I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The cost of living is honestly excellent and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
23 upvotes
Adeline Hill
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is healthcare. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Worth doing your research before committing.
22 upvotes
Nicholas R.
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's been a really good experience overall. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
20 upvotes
Sara R.
same here
17 upvotes
Colton Peterson
I've lived in The Heights for about 14 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's improved dramatically in recent years. When I first moved here from Pittsburgh, I was surprised by cultural scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good schools in most areas
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- The weather scene is decent
The downsides:
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
- Chain restaurants dominate
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for retirees. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
15 upvotes
Austin R.
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 Charlotte for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is pretty good. We bought in 2016 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
legal is strong here. marketing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are developing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I genuinely enjoy living here. The outdoor scene is average - we have desert landscapes 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 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. Winters are long and cold. Far from beaches/mountains. And outdoor recreation can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 7/10. Hope this helps!. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
14 upvotes
Julian Evans
I'm a chef and I've found it was the best decision I ever made. The community is decent and there's always something going on.
10 upvotes
Emilia Taylor
The food scene here is improving. Tons of great Indian places. it exceeded my expectations.
8 upvotes
Brooks
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 4 years ago from Pittsburgh and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Riverside. It's underrated for what you get.
Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in manufacturing. If you're in healthcare you might struggle.
People: Generally excellent. It took about 7 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: surprisingly good. Tons of options if you like Indian.
No regrets on my end..
5 upvotes
Piper R.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a contractor, 53, moved here 15 years ago from Nashville. I've lived in Greenfield and Old Town, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Affordable housing options
2. Good airport with direct flights
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited shopping options
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The outdoor recreation situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Greenfield: Great for young professionals. challenging vibes, walkable.
- Old Town: 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 Nashville, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $80K-$70K here.
**Final verdict:**
Hope this helps!. 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.
1 upvotes
Carson
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Old Town for 11 years. Moved from Boston for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is excellent. We bought in 2017 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. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
consulting is strong here. manufacturing 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:**
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The outdoor scene is tough - we have lakes within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Old Town 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. Not very walkable outside downtown. Far from beaches/mountains. And job market 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.
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