Hi all, Born and raised here. The unemployment rate is 5.7%, which is about average. Average temperature is around 76--F, so it's warm year-round. Property taxes are high but you get good services. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The food scene here is surprisingly good. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The city has invested a lot in new development. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The food scene here is surprisingly good.
15 upvotes
15 Replies
Austin Myers
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I genuinely enjoy living here. Definitely worth checking out..
40 upvotes
Anna W.
I've lived in East for about 6 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's not perfect but it works for me. When I first moved here from Atlanta, I was surprised by safety. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good healthcare facilities
- Lots of new development happening
- The traffic scene is improving
The downsides:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Urban sprawl is real
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for young professionals. Happy to answer more specific questions..
35 upvotes
Dylan Price
lol so true
34 upvotes
Jameson King
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a data analyst, 35, moved here 4 years ago from Raleigh. I've lived in Downtown and Eastside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Good airport with direct flights
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally solid - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Bugs and humidity in summer
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The traffic situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Downtown: Great for remote workers. decent vibes, walkable.
- Eastside: 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 Raleigh, everything felt hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $90K-$150K 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.
29 upvotes
Jace Hall
100%
28 upvotes
Joshua Murphy
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a chef, 28, moved here 3 years ago from Seattle. I've lived in Riverside and South, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Decent public transit for the size
2. Four distinct seasons
3. Close to major attractions
4. The people are generally solid - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Dating scene is rough
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The public transit situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Riverside: Great for retirees. hit or miss vibes, walkable.
- South: 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 Seattle, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $80K-$110K here.
**Final verdict:**
Happy to answer more specific 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.
24 upvotes
Noah Gray
Bought a house here in 2016 and I'm still on the fence after all this time. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
21 upvotes
Christian Richardson
I've been living here for 12 years and I'd say it's been a really good experience overall. The public transit is decent compared to other places I've lived. Overall Happy to answer more specific questions..
16 upvotes
Nolan K.
As someone who grew up here, it exceeded my expectations. A lot has changed in the past few years though. nightlife used to be much growing but now it's hit or miss.
16 upvotes
Valentina Hall
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Highland for 5 years. Moved from San Francisco for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is challenging. We bought in 2023 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
consulting is strong here. legal is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are established for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it exceeded my expectations. The outdoor scene is surprisingly good - 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 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. Not a lot of cultural diversity. Road conditions need improvement. And job market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 7/10. It's not for everyone but it works for us.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
11 upvotes
Amelia C.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem tough.
I've been here 2 years and it's exactly what I was looking for. The thing nobody mentions is walkability. It's stable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the job market is legit. And if you're into running, this place is better than expected.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The The Heights side vs the Westside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
11 upvotes
Ezekiel James
haha yep pretty much
7 upvotes
Logan Nguyen
underrated comment
5 upvotes
Lily L.
Weather-wise, the summers are solid and winters are pricey. You get used to it after the first year.
4 upvotes
Landon L.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Meadowbrook for 15 years. Moved from New York for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is average. We bought in 2021 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. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
real estate 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:**
it's been a really good experience overall. The outdoor scene is challenging - 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. Meadowbrook schools are improving. 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. Road conditions need improvement. Homeless population growing downtown. And safety can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 5/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
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