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Eliana Bailey moving

Remote worker thinking about Highland Park

Longtime lurker here, I'm a nurse at the local hospital and It's a a smaller city city with about 30,229 people. Median household income is $161,875, which feels pretty solid for the area. Household incomes average around $161,875 in Highland Park. Average temperature is around 50--F, so expect cold winters. Homes are going for about $594,400 on average. The weather takes some getting used to. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Is this normal for Highland Park? Thanks for reading. The suburbs are where most families end up. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. 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. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The suburbs are where most families end up. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse.
24 upvotes

3 Replies

Ethan
Public transit is hit or miss here. You'll probably need a car for most things. the quality of life is solid.
29 upvotes
Isaiah Hill
Came here for quality of life and stayed because it was the best decision I ever made. The healthcare is honestly improving and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
18 upvotes
Easton M.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.

Background: I'm a social worker, 40, moved here 6 years ago from Raleigh. I've lived in Greenfield and Lakewood, and traveled to most parts of the metro.

**What I love:**
1. Four distinct seasons
2. Affordable housing options
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year

**What I don't love:**
1. Rising rent and home prices
2. Not very walkable outside downtown
3. The job market situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving

**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Greenfield: Great for couples. better than expected vibes, walkable.
- Lakewood: 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 decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $100K-$130K here.

**Final verdict:**
Good luck with whatever you decide.. 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.
2 upvotes
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