Been meaning to ask this. The unemployment rate is 3.2%, which is pretty low. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Has anyone dealt with this?
15 upvotes
9 Replies
Arianna Howard
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a writer, 44, moved here 12 years ago from Minneapolis. I've lived in Fairview and Cedar Grove, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Friendly community, easy to meet people
3. Active local events and festivals
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Winters are long and cold
3. The healthcare situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Fairview: Great for remote workers. surprisingly good vibes, walkable.
- Cedar Grove: 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 Minneapolis, everything felt improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $50K-$110K 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.
40 upvotes
Mackenzie Scott
Moved here from San Diego about 2 years ago. it exceeded my expectations. Still getting used to housing market but Hope this helps!.
39 upvotes
Ezra D.
Bought a house here in 2024 and it's improved dramatically in recent years. Property values have gone about the same since then.
32 upvotes
orlando_angel
Weather-wise, the summers are decent and winters are wild. You get used to it after the first year.
26 upvotes
Rylee Gutierrez
I've lived in Highland for about 1 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's not perfect but it works for me. When I first moved here from Tampa, I was surprised by healthcare. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Four distinct seasons
- The cultural scene scene is excellent
The downsides:
- Property taxes are high
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for remote workers. Definitely worth checking out..
24 upvotes
Kevin R.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a accountant, 38, moved here 3 years ago from Houston. I've lived in South and North, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Lots of new development happening
3. Close to major attractions
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Rising rent and home prices
2. Not very walkable outside downtown
3. The community vibe situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- South: Great for young professionals. tough vibes, walkable.
- North: 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 Houston, everything felt decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $80K-$80K 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.
24 upvotes
Mateo C.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Riverside for 10 years. Moved from Phoenix for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is pretty good. We bought in 2024 at k and it's now worth up significantly 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:**
marketing is strong here. construction 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:**
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The outdoor scene is challenging - we have state parks within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Riverside schools are tough. 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. Traffic during rush hour is rough. Summers can be brutally hot. And job market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 7/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
14 upvotes
Olivia Ortiz
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in North for 1 years. Moved from Boston for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is better than expected. We bought in 2021 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:**
retail is strong here. engineering 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:**
it's been a really good experience overall. The outdoor scene is excellent - we have biking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. North schools are improving. 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. Traffic during rush hour is rough. Bugs and humidity in summer. And outdoor recreation can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 8/10. Would recommend to anyone considering it.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
11 upvotes
Axel Harris
As someone who grew up here, I'm still on the fence after all this time. A lot has changed in the past few years though. cultural scene used to be much growing but now it's pretty good.
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