Hey, I grew up here but left for a while. It's a a smaller city city with about 25,843 people. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Thoughts? I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The city has invested a lot in new development.
15 upvotes
11 Replies
Dominic Cruz
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want cost of living, then yeah this place is great. But if housing market matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
36 upvotes
Zoey Gonzalez
nah I disagree
26 upvotes
Joshua K.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in The Heights for 14 years. Moved from San Diego for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is average. We bought in 2017 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
finance is strong here. hospitality is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are manageable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it exceeded my expectations. The outdoor scene is decent - 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. The Heights schools are surprisingly good. 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. Road conditions need improvement. And public transit can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 5/10. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
25 upvotes
Hailey H.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem hit or miss.
I've been here 2 years and it's been a really good experience overall. The thing nobody mentions is housing market. It's reasonable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the weather is legit. And if you're into rock climbing, this place is better than expected.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Fairview side vs the Riverside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
23 upvotes
Alexa Murphy
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a teacher, 24, moved here 11 years ago from Austin. I've lived in North and Uptown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Growing food and restaurant scene
3. Good internet infrastructure
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Dating scene is rough
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The housing market situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- North: Great for retirees. challenging vibes, walkable.
- Uptown: 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 Austin, everything felt solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $60K-$90K 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
coastal_colton73
Bought a house here in 2017 and it's not perfect but it works for me. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
19 upvotes
Cameron Bennett
seconding this
17 upvotes
Hannah Evans
Weather-wise, the summers are average and winters are reasonable. You get used to it after the first year.
13 upvotes
Hazel Gutierrez
seconding this
12 upvotes
dc_waylon
great question, following
12 upvotes
Piper Adams
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a physical therapist, 45, moved here 14 years ago from Atlanta. I've lived in Pine Hills and Fairview, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Active local events and festivals
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited high-paying job options
2. Road conditions need improvement
3. The cultural scene situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Pine Hills: Great for retirees. challenging vibes, walkable.
- Fairview: 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 better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $60K-$70K here.
**Final verdict:**
It's not for everyone but it works for us.. 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.
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