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Julian W.
jobs
Job hunting in Granger -tips?
The median home value here is around $302,500, which seems about average. Property taxes are high but you get good services.
0 upvotes
23 Replies
sd_naomi
exactly what I was thinking
39 upvotes
Jose White
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 3-bedroom. I have mixed feelings honestly. Compared to Nashville it's challenging.
36 upvotes
Camila
The food scene here is better than expected. Tons of great Mediterranean places. it exceeded my expectations.
35 upvotes
Liam Foster
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want cultural scene, then yeah this place is great. But if school system matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
31 upvotes
Quinn P.
I've been living here for 10 years and I'd say I genuinely enjoy living here. The dating scene is tough compared to other places I've lived. Overall Would recommend to anyone considering it..
29 upvotes
Austin Gonzalez
interesting, hadn't considered that
26 upvotes
Nora C.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Westside for 9 years. Moved from Miami for family. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is average. We bought in 2017 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
engineering is strong here. construction 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 was the best decision I ever made. 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. Westside 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. Limited public transit options. Property taxes are high. And nightlife can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 5/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
I've been in Westside for 9 years. Moved from Miami for family. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is average. We bought in 2017 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
engineering is strong here. construction 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 was the best decision I ever made. 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. Westside 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. Limited public transit options. Property taxes are high. And nightlife can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 5/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
24 upvotes
Connor Howard
My experience has been mostly positive. the quality of life is solid. The only thing I'd watch out for is cost of living. Other than that, Would recommend to anyone considering it..
24 upvotes
Noah H.
same here
24 upvotes
Kaylee Gray
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 Houston for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is better than expected. We bought in 2019 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:**
healthcare is strong here. healthcare is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are affordable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I love the pace of life here. The outdoor scene is decent - we have hiking 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 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. Limited high-paying job options. Chain restaurants dominate. And traffic can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 6/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
I've been in Highland for 8 years. Moved from Houston for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is better than expected. We bought in 2019 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:**
healthcare is strong here. healthcare is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are affordable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I love the pace of life here. The outdoor scene is decent - we have hiking 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 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. Limited high-paying job options. Chain restaurants dominate. And traffic can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 6/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
21 upvotes
Jacob Gray
I've been living here for 3 years and I'd say it's improved dramatically in recent years. The housing market is solid compared to other places I've lived. Overall It's not for everyone but it works for us..
18 upvotes
Jackson Hall
following this thread
18 upvotes
Parker Diaz
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 12 years ago from Seattle and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Highland. It's pretty good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in healthcare. If you're in marketing you might struggle.
People: Generally surprisingly good. It took about 12 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: surprisingly good. Tons of options if you like BBQ.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Highland. It's pretty good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in healthcare. If you're in marketing you might struggle.
People: Generally surprisingly good. It took about 12 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: surprisingly good. Tons of options if you like BBQ.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
14 upvotes
Melanie Hernandez
yeah no that's not right
14 upvotes
Daniel R.
hard disagree but ok
11 upvotes
Mia Gomez
Weather-wise, the summers are solid and winters are pricey. You get used to it after the first year.
7 upvotes
phoenixgirl2020
We moved here with our family and it was the best decision I ever made. Schools in Springfield area are better than expected. Kids love it here.
6 upvotes
Bennett W.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem solid.
I've been here 1 years and I have mixed feelings honestly. The thing nobody mentions is public transit. It's stable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the housing market is legit. And if you're into kayaking, this place is excellent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The West side vs the Oak Park side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
I've been here 1 years and I have mixed feelings honestly. The thing nobody mentions is public transit. It's stable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the housing market is legit. And if you're into kayaking, this place is excellent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The West side vs the Oak Park side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
6 upvotes
Adrian W.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a physical therapist who relocated here from San Diego about 12 years ago. The main reasons were retirement and cost of living.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Strong job market in several industries
Cons that are real:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Financially, we've found it decent compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are reasonable, gas is underrated.
Socially, I genuinely enjoy living here. No regrets on my end..
I'm a physical therapist who relocated here from San Diego about 12 years ago. The main reasons were retirement and cost of living.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Strong job market in several industries
Cons that are real:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Financially, we've found it decent compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are reasonable, gas is underrated.
Socially, I genuinely enjoy living here. No regrets on my end..
6 upvotes
Brooklyn Thompson
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 10 years ago from Austin and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Lakewood. It's decent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in education. If you're in consulting you might struggle.
People: Generally decent. It took about 9 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: better than expected. Tons of options if you like Asian.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Lakewood. It's decent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in education. If you're in consulting you might struggle.
People: Generally decent. It took about 9 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: better than expected. Tons of options if you like Asian.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
4 upvotes
Lucas Thomas
As someone who grew up here, it's improved dramatically in recent years. A lot has changed in the past few years though. pet-friendliness used to be much wild but now it's surprisingly good.
4 upvotes
Everly Hughes
great question, following
3 upvotes
river_amelia17
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem tough.
I've been here 11 years and I genuinely enjoy living here. The thing nobody mentions is nightlife. It's affordable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cost of living is legit. And if you're into mountain biking, this place is challenging.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Meadowbrook side vs the Fairview side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
I've been here 11 years and I genuinely enjoy living here. The thing nobody mentions is nightlife. It's affordable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cost of living is legit. And if you're into mountain biking, this place is challenging.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Meadowbrook side vs the Fairview side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
1 upvotes