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Eva J.
jobs
Freelancing from Highland Park -experience?
Random thought, It's a a small town city with about 14,981 people. Thoughts?
7 upvotes
7 Replies
Jaxon Price
not my experience at all
39 upvotes
Eleanor Ward
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 3 years ago from Dallas and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Downtown. It's hit or miss for what you get.
Jobs: The market is reasonable right now, especially in construction. If you're in real estate you might struggle.
People: Generally pretty good. It took about 8 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: improving. Tons of options if you like Indian.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Downtown. It's hit or miss for what you get.
Jobs: The market is reasonable right now, especially in construction. If you're in real estate you might struggle.
People: Generally pretty good. It took about 8 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: improving. Tons of options if you like Indian.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
38 upvotes
Nathan Ross
Public transit is decent here. You'll probably need a car for most things. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
31 upvotes
Jack Miller
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value walkability, you'll love it. The traffic is genuinely pretty good and I've found I'm still on the fence after all this time. My neighborhood (Maple Ridge) is manageable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Tampa, be prepared for the culture shock. housing market is completely different here. And Urban sprawl is real.
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.
If you value walkability, you'll love it. The traffic is genuinely pretty good and I've found I'm still on the fence after all this time. My neighborhood (Maple Ridge) is manageable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Tampa, be prepared for the culture shock. housing market is completely different here. And Urban sprawl is real.
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.
18 upvotes
Piper Murphy
following this thread
9 upvotes
Grace Evans
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in South for 9 years. Moved from Nashville for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is pretty good. We bought in 2023 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
healthcare is strong here. marketing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are manageable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it exceeded my expectations. The outdoor scene is improving - 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. South schools are solid. 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. Winters are long and cold. Far from beaches/mountains. And safety can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 6/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
I've been in South for 9 years. Moved from Nashville for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is pretty good. We bought in 2023 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
healthcare is strong here. marketing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are manageable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it exceeded my expectations. The outdoor scene is improving - 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. South schools are solid. 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. Winters are long and cold. Far from beaches/mountains. And safety can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 6/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
4 upvotes
Ruby Mitchell
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem better than expected.
I've been here 12 years and it was the best decision I ever made. The thing nobody mentions is weather. It's manageable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the walkability is legit. And if you're into running, this place is challenging.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Oak Park side vs the Old Town side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
I've been here 12 years and it was the best decision I ever made. The thing nobody mentions is weather. It's manageable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the walkability is legit. And if you're into running, this place is challenging.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Oak Park side vs the Old Town side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
1 upvotes