Thinking about relocating to Highland from Phoenix
Hey everyone, Average temperature is around 65--F, so the weather is moderate. With a population of 56,690, Highland is a smaller city. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The city has invested a lot in new development. Any advice would be great. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The suburbs are where most families end up. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The suburbs are where most families end up. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse.
30 upvotes
12 Replies
Gloria D.
yep
40 upvotes
Axel K.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 4 years ago from San Francisco and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in The Heights. It's surprisingly good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in real estate. If you're in real estate you might struggle.
People: Generally surprisingly good. It took about 8 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: better than expected. Tons of options if you like Thai.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
39 upvotes
Ian Harris
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a sales manager, 33, moved here 3 years ago from Atlanta. I've lived in North and Maple Ridge, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good healthcare facilities
2. Lots of new development happening
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited high-paying job options
2. Can feel isolated
3. The healthcare situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- North: Great for singles. challenging vibes, walkable.
- Maple Ridge: 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 Atlanta, everything felt hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $60K-$120K here.
**Final verdict:**
Feel free to reach out with 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.
33 upvotes
omahaguy2024
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 3-bedroom. the quality of life is solid. Compared to Atlanta it's underrated.
25 upvotes
real_jonathan52
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a data analyst, 44, moved here 5 years ago from New York. I've lived in Greenfield and Fairview, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Lots of new development happening
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally average - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Can feel isolated
3. The food scene situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Greenfield: Great for families. tough 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 New York, everything felt decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $80K-$130K 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
Josiah Rogers
As someone who grew up here, I have mixed feelings honestly. A lot has changed in the past few years though. food scene used to be much developing but now it's decent.
13 upvotes
loving_cooper63
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 5 years ago from Charlotte and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in East. It's solid for what you get.
Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in tech. If you're in education you might struggle.
People: Generally pretty good. It took about 8 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: surprisingly good. Tons of options if you like Mexican.
No regrets on my end..
12 upvotes
Benjamin C.
I've been living here for 15 years and I'd say I'm still on the fence after all this time. The dating scene is underrated compared to other places I've lived. Overall Would recommend to anyone considering it..
8 upvotes
Cameron Brown
100%
8 upvotes
Madeline Cox
Moved here last year, no regrets.
2 upvotes
Gabriella Hughes
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a project manager, 54, moved here 12 years ago from Charlotte. I've lived in Cedar Grove and West, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Close to major attractions
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Not a lot of cultural diversity
3. The housing market situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Cedar Grove: Great for singles. pretty good vibes, walkable.
- West: 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 underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $80K-$110K here.
**Final verdict:**
Hope this helps!. 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.
All Countries
