Should I move to Goodlettsville or stay in San Diego?
Anyone else feel this way? My family moved here when I was a kid. Poverty rate is 4.5%, which is pretty low. It's a a small town city with about 17,598 people. Median household income is $65,898, which feels about average for the area. The unemployment rate is 4.0%, which is pretty low. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The city has invested a lot in new development. Would love some local perspective. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The city has invested a lot in new development. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse.
11 upvotes
11 Replies
Savannah Young
yep
25 upvotes
Oliver Young
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a real estate agent, 56, moved here 12 years ago from Miami. I've lived in Eastside and Uptown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Low crime in most neighborhoods
2. Lots of new development happening
3. Close to major attractions
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Nightlife is limited
2. Property taxes are high
3. The cultural scene situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Eastside: Great for retirees. average 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 Miami, everything felt challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $90K-$140K here.
**Final verdict:**
Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. 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.
23 upvotes
Lillian Campbell
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 4-bedroom. I love the pace of life here. Compared to Charlotte it's surprisingly good.
22 upvotes
Nora Gonzalez
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value nightlife, you'll love it. The nightlife is genuinely improving and I've found it's exactly what I was looking for. My neighborhood (Eastside) is growing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Houston, be prepared for the culture shock. safety is completely different here. And Road conditions need improvement.
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.
17 upvotes
Delilah Cooper
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. school system used to be much manageable but now it's improving.
16 upvotes
Janice A.
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 Austin for family. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is hit or miss. We bought in 2015 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
retail is strong here. construction 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'm still on the fence after all this time. The outdoor scene is pretty good - 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 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. Not very walkable outside downtown. Chain restaurants dominate. And outdoor recreation can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 8/10. Definitely worth checking out.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
15 upvotes
Claire Flores
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a project manager who relocated here from New York about 10 years ago. The main reasons were cost of living and my partner's job.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good healthcare facilities
- Four distinct seasons
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Property taxes are high
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Financially, we've found it challenging compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are stable, gas is excellent.
Socially, I have mixed feelings honestly. Feel free to reach out with questions..
12 upvotes
Katherine H.
Totally agree!
10 upvotes
proud_christian22
wish I knew this sooner
6 upvotes
Jackson Morgan
lol so true
5 upvotes
Jeremiah Davis
Moved here from Miami about 15 years ago. it's improved dramatically in recent years. Still getting used to cultural scene but Give it a chance - it might surprise you..