First post here. I work in retail and With a population of 8,774, Highland Park is a small town. Household incomes average around $250,001 in Highland Park. Crime rate is something to consider -Highland Park sits at 97.3 per 100K. You can expect to pay around $2,216 for rent here. It's a a small town city with about 8,774 people. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Worth the trade-offs? Looking forward to hearing from you all. The suburbs are where most families end up. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. The food scene here is surprisingly good. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The city has invested a lot in new development. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. The suburbs are where most families end up. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The city has invested a lot in new development. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The food scene here is surprisingly good. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. The weather takes some getting used to. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood.
13 upvotes
9 Replies
Jameson B.
Bought a house here in 2016 and it's exactly what I was looking for. Property values have gone about the same since then.
40 upvotes
Terry W.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a lawyer, 41, moved here 13 years ago from Phoenix. I've lived in Eastside and Oak Park, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Friendly community, easy to meet people
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not very walkable outside downtown
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The community vibe situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Eastside: Great for families. underrated vibes, walkable.
- Oak Park: 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 Phoenix, everything felt solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $40K-$120K 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.
38 upvotes
Emily M.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Internet is average in most areas.
35 upvotes
Logan W.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem challenging.
I've been here 13 years and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The thing nobody mentions is dating scene. It's growing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the dating scene is legit. And if you're into fishing, this place is tough.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Cedar Grove side vs the Downtown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
25 upvotes
joseph_life
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's been a really good experience overall. Feel free to reach out with questions..
22 upvotes
Nicholas
Moved here from Portland about 5 years ago. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Still getting used to dating scene but Would recommend to anyone considering it..
16 upvotes
Abigail Ross
100%
12 upvotes
sophie_vibes
Totally agree!
8 upvotes
Anna Carter
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it was the best decision I ever made. Internet is average in most areas.
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