I've been here for 19 years and Median household income is $68,650, which feels about average for the area. Homes are going for about $369,600 on average. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. What neighborhoods would you suggest? The weather takes some getting used to. The suburbs are where most families end up.
18 upvotes
20 Replies
Noah Parker
Bought a house here in 2017 and I have mixed feelings honestly. Property values have gone up significantly since then.
39 upvotes
Brittany C.
this is the way
38 upvotes
Camila Morales
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 Baltimore for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is average. We bought in 2018 at k and it's now worth about the same 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:**
legal is strong here. real estate 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 genuinely enjoy living here. The outdoor scene is solid - we have mountains 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 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. Limited high-paying job options. Limited entertainment options. And pet-friendliness 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.
37 upvotes
Maya Ramirez
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Westside for 5 years. Moved from Raleigh for family. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is average. We bought in 2015 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:**
government is strong here. healthcare is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are competitive for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The outdoor scene is underrated - we have beaches 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 underrated. 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. Property taxes are high. Limited entertainment options. And outdoor recreation can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 5/10. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
37 upvotes
Declan Watson
noted, appreciate it
36 upvotes
Gianna Hernandez
lol so true
32 upvotes
Brooklyn Adams
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a data analyst who relocated here from Atlanta about 9 years ago. The main reasons were a job opportunity and cost of living.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good healthcare facilities
- Good internet infrastructure
- Active local events and festivals
Cons that are real:
- Winters are long and cold
- Chain restaurants dominate
Financially, we've found it improving compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are developing, gas is improving.
Socially, it's been a really good experience overall. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
32 upvotes
Hazel G.
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are better than expected, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
29 upvotes
axel_heart
We moved here with our family and I have mixed feelings honestly. Schools in Maple Ridge area are pretty good. Kids love it here.
27 upvotes
Allison Morales
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value food scene, you'll love it. The community vibe is genuinely surprisingly good and I've found it exceeded my expectations. My neighborhood (North) is wild and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Denver, be prepared for the culture shock. housing market is completely different here. And Limited high-paying job options.
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
Carolyn M.
bump
16 upvotes
wyatt_life
As someone who grew up here, I love the pace of life here. A lot has changed in the past few years though. public transit used to be much wild but now it's surprisingly good.
13 upvotes
Elena Phillips
100%
10 upvotes
Nora J.
+1
9 upvotes
Claire Patel
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is walkability. the quality of life is solid. Worth doing your research before committing.
4 upvotes
Emmett C.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 11 years ago from Baltimore and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in South. It's better than expected for what you get.
Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in education. If you're in consulting you might struggle.
People: Generally challenging. It took about 14 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: pretty good. Tons of options if you like Thai.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
2 upvotes
Eleanor L.
We moved here with our family and it's not perfect but it works for me. Schools in West area are hit or miss. Kids love it here.
1 upvotes
Brooklyn Adams
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value healthcare, you'll love it. The dating scene is genuinely better than expected and I've found I love the pace of life here. My neighborhood (Oak Park) is growing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Raleigh, be prepared for the culture shock. traffic is completely different here. And Traffic during rush hour is rough.
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.
1 upvotes
nevaeh_vibes
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a lawyer, 32, moved here 1 years ago from Charlotte. I've lived in Uptown and Cedar Grove, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Decent public transit for the size
2. Active local events and festivals
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally solid - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The healthcare situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Uptown: Great for singles. solid vibes, walkable.
- Cedar Grove: 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 Charlotte, everything felt better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $90K-$80K here.
**Final verdict:**
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. 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.
1 upvotes
Jeremiah Harris
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem better than expected.
I've been here 1 years and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The thing nobody mentions is dating scene. It's manageable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the school system is legit. And if you're into surfing, this place is pretty good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Old Town side vs the Lakewood side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
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