I'm single, late 30s, and It's a a small town city with about 11,186 people. Average temperature is around 40--F, so bundle up in winter. Poverty rate is 12.8%, which is around average. Median household income is $56,542, which feels about average for the area. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Property taxes are high but you get good services. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The suburbs are where most families end up. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level.
8 upvotes
6 Replies
Grayson Cook
wish I knew this sooner
36 upvotes
Daniel Turner
I've lived in The Heights for about 7 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. When I first moved here from Boston, I was surprised by walkability. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good schools in most areas
- Lots of new development happening
- The safety scene is average
The downsides:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Property taxes are high
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for singles. Good luck with whatever you decide..
32 upvotes
Ava Robinson
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a writer, 58, moved here 3 years ago from Houston. I've lived in Sunset and Uptown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Good healthcare facilities
3. Decent public transit for the size
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited shopping options
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The healthcare situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Sunset: Great for young professionals. solid 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 Houston, everything felt decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $70K-$120K 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.
30 upvotes
James Campbell
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 3 years ago from LA and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Uptown. It's challenging for what you get.
Jobs: The market is manageable right now, especially in construction. If you're in government you might struggle.
People: Generally improving. It took about 12 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: pretty good. Tons of options if you like sushi.
No regrets on my end..
21 upvotes
Skylar
spot on
19 upvotes
Luca Carter
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a physical therapist, 50, moved here 9 years ago from San Diego. I've lived in Highland and The Heights, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Lots of new development happening
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The food scene situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Highland: Great for couples. hit or miss vibes, walkable.
- The Heights: 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 San Diego, everything felt decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $90K-$100K 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.
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