Been meaning to ask this. Born and raised here. Average temperature is around 59°F, so the weather is moderate. Household incomes average around $102,321 in Fairfield. Rent is about $2,191/month for a decent place. The unemployment rate is 3.3%, which is pretty low. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Has anyone dealt with this? Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The suburbs are where most families end up. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly.
18 upvotes
21 Replies
Claire J.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want cultural scene, then yeah this place is great. But if food scene matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
40 upvotes
Ryan A.
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 2-bedroom. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Compared to Miami it's underrated.
38 upvotes
Liam K.
Weather-wise, the summers are solid and winters are reasonable. You get used to it after the first year.
36 upvotes
Axel Hill
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Highland for 12 years. Moved from Portland for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is improving. We bought in 2018 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
engineering is strong here. real estate is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are growing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I'm still on the fence after all this time. The outdoor scene is decent - we have national forests 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 challenging. 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 cultural scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 8/10. Would recommend to anyone considering it.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
34 upvotes
Ryan
Used to live on the West side, now on the Midtown side. Completely different vibe. it's been a really good experience overall.
32 upvotes
Isaiah Parker
yep
32 upvotes
native_evan65
literally same
31 upvotes
Matthew Myers
Moved here from Raleigh about 6 years ago. it exceeded my expectations. Still getting used to dating scene but Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
30 upvotes
Carter D.
haha yep pretty much
30 upvotes
Hazel Richardson
Came here for a job opportunity and stayed because it exceeded my expectations. The community vibe is honestly underrated and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
28 upvotes
Chloe Torres
big facts right here
26 upvotes
loving_victoria5
Hot take but I genuinely enjoy living here. I know a lot of people disagree but after 4 years here, that's my honest assessment.
23 upvotes
Skylar Hall
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Internet is surprisingly good in most areas.
23 upvotes
John R.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a teacher, 29, moved here 5 years ago from Dallas. I've lived in Maple Ridge and Lakewood, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Good schools in most areas
3. Active local events and festivals
4. The people are generally solid - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not a lot of cultural diversity
2. Limited shopping options
3. The cultural scene situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Maple Ridge: Great for young professionals. improving vibes, walkable.
- Lakewood: 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 Dallas, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $40K-$130K here.
**Final verdict:**
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. 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.
21 upvotes
Theodore Ramirez
thanks for sharing
20 upvotes
Olivia Ramos
underrated comment
15 upvotes
joseph_life
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a electrician, 43, moved here 8 years ago from LA. I've lived in Old Town and Downtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good healthcare facilities
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally average - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Rising rent and home prices
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The healthcare situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Old Town: Great for families. average vibes, walkable.
- Downtown: 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 LA, everything felt average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $60K-$70K here.
**Final verdict:**
Happy to answer more specific 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.
15 upvotes
Landon King
big facts right here
12 upvotes
Serenity S.
I've lived in West for about 7 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. When I first moved here from Chicago, I was surprised by healthcare. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Lots of new development happening
- Good internet infrastructure
- The housing market scene is surprisingly good
The downsides:
- Limited public transit options
- Winters are long and cold
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for remote workers. Happy to answer more specific questions..
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