Alright, I grew up here but left for a while. Median household income is $142,363, which feels pretty solid for the area. Crime rate is something to consider -Highland Beach sits at 101.2 per 100K. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The city has invested a lot in new development.
1 upvotes
5 Replies
Genesis Ortiz
yep
40 upvotes
Benjamin K.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem solid.
I've been here 10 years and the quality of life is solid. The thing nobody mentions is safety. It's reasonable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the public transit is legit. And if you're into rock climbing, this place is better than expected.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Cedar Grove side vs the The Heights side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
39 upvotes
Angel
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a sales manager, 42, moved here 4 years ago from Charlotte. I've lived in The Heights and Fairview, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Four distinct seasons
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not very walkable outside downtown
2. Dating scene is rough
3. The food scene situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- The Heights: Great for retirees. pretty good vibes, walkable.
- Fairview: 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 hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $40K-$130K here.
**Final verdict:**
Would recommend to anyone considering it.. 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.
17 upvotes
Angel Watson
bump
12 upvotes
seattlevibes2020
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a lawyer who relocated here from Denver about 13 years ago. The main reasons were a job opportunity and quality of life.
Pros I've experienced:
- Lots of new development happening
- Good internet infrastructure
- Affordable housing options
Cons that are real:
- Can feel isolated
- Dating scene is rough
Financially, we've found it hit or miss compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are pricey, gas is tough.
Socially, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Happy to answer more specific questions..
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