I'm single, late 40s, and Crime rate is something to consider -Gaston sits at 236.4 per 100K. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The food scene here is surprisingly good. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The city has invested a lot in new development. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting.
11 upvotes
12 Replies
Delilah Turner
I'm a social worker and I've found it's not perfect but it works for me. The community is surprisingly good and there's always something going on.
40 upvotes
Abigail Sanders
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 1 years ago from San Francisco and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Highland. It's hit or miss for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in manufacturing. If you're in consulting you might struggle.
People: Generally tough. It took about 9 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: challenging. Tons of options if you like BBQ.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
36 upvotes
Naomi Campbell
Bought a house here in 2024 and I love the pace of life here. Property values have gone about the same since then.
35 upvotes
Ariana
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a writer who relocated here from Houston about 5 years ago. The main reasons were family and work.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Affordable housing options
Cons that are real:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Limited entertainment options
Financially, we've found it challenging compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are stable, gas is challenging.
Socially, I have mixed feelings honestly. Definitely worth checking out..
34 upvotes
Ariana James
as a local I can confirm
33 upvotes
Asher M.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Downtown for 14 years. Moved from Charlotte for family. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is excellent. We bought in 2019 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
real estate is strong here. manufacturing 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:**
it's exactly what I was looking for. The outdoor scene is average - 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. Downtown 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. Limited high-paying job options. And healthcare can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 9/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
28 upvotes
John
I'm a chef and I've found I have mixed feelings honestly. The community is solid and there's always something going on.
17 upvotes
Jose Cooper
big facts right here
15 upvotes
Nolan R.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value pet-friendliness, you'll love it. The housing market is genuinely surprisingly good and I've found the quality of life is solid. My neighborhood (Uptown) is competitive and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from LA, be prepared for the culture shock. safety is completely different here. And Rising rent and home prices.
My advice would be to visit for at least a week before committing. Rent first, don't buy. And explore multiple neighborhoods - they're all different.
9 upvotes
Aaliyah Reyes
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's not perfect but it works for me. Feel free to reach out with questions..
8 upvotes
Parker Nguyen
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Highland for 4 years. Moved from Tampa for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is surprisingly good. We bought in 2015 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. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
finance is strong here. consulting 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:**
it's improved dramatically in recent years. The outdoor scene is surprisingly good - 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. Highland schools are better than expected. 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. Road conditions need improvement. Homeless population growing downtown. And outdoor recreation can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 6/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
8 upvotes
Andrew Allen
I'm a pharmacist and I've found it exceeded my expectations. The community is excellent and there's always something going on.
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