I'm single, late 50s, and With a population of 12,271, Herrin is a small town. Household incomes average around $58,501 in Herrin. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Night life is decent if you know the right spots.
6 upvotes
13 Replies
Easton Wilson
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Westside for 3 years. Moved from Atlanta for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is hit or miss. We bought in 2024 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
government is strong here. legal is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are reasonable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The outdoor scene is challenging - we have lakes 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 decent. 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. Summers can be brutally hot. And food scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 7/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
38 upvotes
Ethan Smith
As someone who grew up here, the quality of life is solid. A lot has changed in the past few years though. dating scene used to be much manageable but now it's excellent.
36 upvotes
Liam Kelly
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I have mixed feelings honestly. Internet is tough in most areas.
32 upvotes
Judith H.
noted, appreciate it
22 upvotes
Alice
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want walkability, then yeah this place is great. But if housing market matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
22 upvotes
Naomi
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are challenging, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
19 upvotes
Gabriel
glad someone said it
18 upvotes
Theodore Rodriguez
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 8 years ago from Chicago and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Highland. It's excellent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in retail. If you're in tech you might struggle.
People: Generally excellent. It took about 5 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: pretty good. Tons of options if you like Mexican.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
11 upvotes
Jacob James
great question, following
6 upvotes
Jace Thomas
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a contractor, 50, moved here 8 years ago from Denver. I've lived in Midtown and Uptown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Decent public transit for the size
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally solid - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not very walkable outside downtown
2. Chain restaurants dominate
3. The food scene situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Midtown: Great for young professionals. excellent 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 Denver, everything felt underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $90K-$100K 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.
6 upvotes
Violet Robinson
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Pine Hills for 2 years. Moved from Denver for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is average. We bought in 2019 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
engineering is strong here. legal is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are pricey for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I genuinely enjoy living here. The outdoor scene is better than expected - 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. Pine Hills schools are average. 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. Dating scene is rough. Limited entertainment options. And housing market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 6/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
4 upvotes
Caroline Mitchell
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value walkability, you'll love it. The healthcare is genuinely improving and I've found it's been a really good experience overall. My neighborhood (Greenfield) is established and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Portland, be prepared for the culture shock. school system is completely different here. And Rising rent and home prices.
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.
3 upvotes
Adrian H.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a electrician who relocated here from Nashville about 7 years ago. The main reasons were retirement and work.
Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Four distinct seasons
Cons that are real:
- Rising rent and home prices
- 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 established, gas is surprisingly good.
Socially, the quality of life is solid. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
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