Hey everyone, We have two kids and Average temperature is around 68--F, so the weather is moderate. The unemployment rate is 1.9%, which is pretty low. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Is this normal for High Springs? There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The city has invested a lot in new development. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level.
5 upvotes
14 Replies
Adam Gutierrez
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 15 years ago from Denver and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in East. It's excellent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in education. If you're in legal you might struggle.
People: Generally challenging. It took about 3 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: underrated. Tons of options if you like Vietnamese.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
38 upvotes
Christian Kim
Saving this thread
38 upvotes
Aria Martin
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value outdoor recreation, you'll love it. The nightlife is genuinely hit or miss and I've found it's exactly what I was looking for. My neighborhood (Riverside) is developing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Portland, be prepared for the culture shock. public transit is completely different here. And Road conditions need improvement.
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.
36 upvotes
Cameron Lopez
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 3-bedroom. it's exactly what I was looking for. Compared to LA it's pretty good.
36 upvotes
miami_audrey
Came here for work and stayed because I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The community vibe is honestly underrated and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
35 upvotes
Grace Hill
I've lived in Highland for about 12 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I'm still on the fence after all this time. When I first moved here from San Diego, I was surprised by dating scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Good schools in most areas
- The outdoor recreation scene is better than expected
The downsides:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Limited entertainment options
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for couples. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
28 upvotes
Madelyn Cook
honestly same experience here
26 upvotes
Cora C.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem decent.
I've been here 3 years and it exceeded my expectations. The thing nobody mentions is weather. It's wild and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the pet-friendliness is legit. And if you're into golfing, this place is average.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Pine Hills side vs the Eastside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
16 upvotes
Logan Martin
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want walkability, then yeah this place is great. But if public transit matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
15 upvotes
Stella Scott
literally same
14 upvotes
kayden_heart
hmm interesting perspective
13 upvotes
Nolan D.
The food scene here is excellent. Tons of great Asian places. I have mixed feelings honestly.
11 upvotes
Emilia Nelson
yep
6 upvotes
Natalie Cook
I'm a marketing manager and I've found it's exactly what I was looking for. The community is hit or miss and there's always something going on.
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