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Kai Wilson best-worst

Best neighborhoods in Highland Park

Alright, Household incomes average around $250,001 in Highland Park. The unemployment rate is 2.8%, which is pretty low. You can expect to pay around $2,216 for rent here. It's a a small town city with about 8,774 people. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level.

Pros:
- Good schools
- Close to nature
- Low taxes
- Good airport connections

Cons:
- Traffic can be terrible
- Cold winters
- Far from major airports
Am I overthinking this? TIA! Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The city has invested a lot in new development. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The weather takes some getting used to. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable.
14 upvotes

7 Replies

Isla W.
as a local I can confirm
39 upvotes
Sofia White
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.

Background: I'm a physical therapist, 39, moved here 9 years ago from San Francisco. I've lived in Maple Ridge and Downtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.

**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Affordable housing options
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year

**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Winters are long and cold
3. The weather situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving

**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Maple Ridge: Great for singles. improving vibes, walkable.
- Downtown: 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 San Francisco, everything felt excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $60K-$140K here.

**Final verdict:**
Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. 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.
34 upvotes
Claire Roberts
Moved here from New York about 3 years ago. it exceeded my expectations. Still getting used to cultural scene but Good luck with whatever you decide..
29 upvotes
Quinn J.
Used to live on the West side, now on the Uptown side. Completely different vibe. the quality of life is solid.
29 upvotes
Evan Jimenez
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 8 years ago from New York and here's my honest breakdown:

Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Cedar Grove. It's average for what you get.

Jobs: The market is reasonable right now, especially in tech. If you're in healthcare you might struggle.

People: Generally hit or miss. It took about 18 months to build a solid friend group.

Food: solid. Tons of options if you like Indian.

Feel free to reach out with questions..
8 upvotes
Nathan C.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.

If you value food scene, you'll love it. The school system is genuinely excellent and I've found it exceeded my expectations. My neighborhood (Eastside) is wild and I feel safe walking around at night.

But if you're coming from Austin, be prepared for the culture shock. public transit is completely different here. And Winters are long and cold.

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.
5 upvotes
Madelyn Foster
I work in construction here and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The job market for my field is underrated. Hope this helps!.
4 upvotes
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