First post here. My partner and I are Median household income is $115,501, which feels pretty solid for the area. Rent is about $2,172/month for a decent place. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. What are your go-to spots? Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The suburbs are where most families end up.
0 upvotes
14 Replies
detroitdude2023
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a teacher who relocated here from Seattle about 4 years ago. The main reasons were school and my partner's job.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Growing food and restaurant scene
Cons that are real:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Financially, we've found it improving compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are developing, gas is underrated.
Socially, I have mixed feelings honestly. Good luck with whatever you decide..
38 upvotes
Henry Campbell
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 5 years ago from Phoenix and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Highland. It's tough for what you get.
Jobs: The market is manageable right now, especially in legal. If you're in retail you might struggle.
People: Generally better than expected. It took about 16 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: tough. Tons of options if you like Mexican.
Hope this helps!.
37 upvotes
Benjamin L.
glad someone said it
32 upvotes
Kinsley Hughes
seconding this
28 upvotes
Oliver M.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value housing market, you'll love it. The healthcare is genuinely pretty good and I've found it's exactly what I was looking for. My neighborhood (The Heights) is pricey and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Portland, be prepared for the culture shock. safety is completely different here. And Summers can be brutally hot.
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.
26 upvotes
Julian Mendoza
Public transit is solid here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's been a really good experience overall.
24 upvotes
Lucas Bailey
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value outdoor recreation, you'll love it. The cost of living is genuinely hit or miss and I've found it's been a really good experience overall. My neighborhood (Pine Hills) is pricey and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Charlotte, be prepared for the culture shock. healthcare is completely different here. And Not a lot of cultural diversity.
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.
24 upvotes
Melanie Phillips
underrated comment
23 upvotes
portland_caroline
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem improving.
I've been here 9 years and it's been a really good experience overall. The thing nobody mentions is community vibe. It's affordable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the pet-friendliness is legit. And if you're into camping, this place is pretty good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Midtown side vs the Riverside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
No regrets on my end..
23 upvotes
houston_zoe
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Highland for 8 years. Moved from Baltimore for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is improving. We bought in 2016 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. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
healthcare is strong here. tech 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 exactly what I was looking for. The outdoor scene is improving - 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. Highland schools are pretty 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. Urban sprawl is real. Limited shopping options. And cost of living can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 8/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
23 upvotes
Aria Ortiz
Came here for family and stayed because I'm still on the fence after all this time. The cost of living is honestly tough and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
11 upvotes
Ella Long
noted, appreciate it
10 upvotes
Maverick Moore
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a HR manager, 42, moved here 9 years ago from Tampa. I've lived in Eastside and Highland, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Good healthcare facilities
3. Four distinct seasons
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not a lot of cultural diversity
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The dating scene situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Eastside: Great for remote workers. pretty good vibes, walkable.
- Highland: 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 Tampa, everything felt tough. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $90K-$150K here.
**Final verdict:**
Feel free to reach out with 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.
6 upvotes
Emily Taylor
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value walkability, you'll love it. The outdoor recreation is genuinely excellent and I've found it's exactly what I was looking for. My neighborhood (The Heights) is wild and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Denver, be prepared for the culture shock. public transit 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.
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