What Highlands Ranch does better than anywhere else
Alright, The median home value here is around $672,600, which is pretty steep. Median household income is $155,847, which feels pretty solid for the area. Poverty rate is 1.4%, which is pretty low. With a population of 101K, Highlands Ranch is a mid-size city. You can expect to pay around $2,397 for rent here. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level.
Pros:
- Diverse community
- Lots of new development
- Good internet infrastructure
Cons:
- Traffic can be terrible
- Cold winters
- Limited dining options
- Poor road conditions
Anyone in a similar situation? Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The food scene here is surprisingly good. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The city has invested a lot in new development. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The food scene here is surprisingly good. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much.
18 upvotes
29 Replies
Camila Morris
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Cedar Grove for 1 years. Moved from New York for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is challenging. We bought in 2016 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
marketing is strong here. tech is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are competitive for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's not perfect but it works for me. The outdoor scene is hit or miss - we have national forests within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Cedar Grove schools are underrated. 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. Urban sprawl is real. Limited shopping options. And community vibe can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 5/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
39 upvotes
Scarlett S.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in North for 14 years. Moved from Minneapolis for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is improving. We bought in 2018 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
legal is strong here. finance is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are growing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it was the best decision I ever made. The outdoor scene is pretty good - 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. North schools are excellent. 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. Can feel isolated. Far from beaches/mountains. And healthcare can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 7/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
37 upvotes
Caleb B.
as a local I can confirm
34 upvotes
Laura R.
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are better than expected, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
34 upvotes
kc_weston
I'm a pharmacist and I've found it was the best decision I ever made. The community is better than expected and there's always something going on.
34 upvotes
Emma G.
lol so true
30 upvotes
Cooper
it depends on the neighborhood
30 upvotes
Amelia W.
underrated comment
29 upvotes
Elijah H.
hard disagree but ok
27 upvotes
Madeline R.
Moved here from San Francisco about 7 years ago. I genuinely enjoy living here. Still getting used to nightlife but Definitely worth checking out..
26 upvotes
Dominic Reed
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a accountant, 54, moved here 5 years ago from Baltimore. I've lived in Eastside and North, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Good schools in most areas
3. Good internet infrastructure
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited high-paying job options
2. Property taxes are high
3. The walkability situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Eastside: Great for couples. better than expected vibes, walkable.
- North: 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 Baltimore, everything felt challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $100K-$70K here.
**Final verdict:**
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. 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.
25 upvotes
Ariana
thanks for sharing
24 upvotes
Kennedy Allen
Saving this thread
23 upvotes
Joseph Wood
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a marketing manager, 53, moved here 3 years ago from Seattle. I've lived in Midtown and The Heights, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The public transit situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Midtown: Great for couples. solid vibes, walkable.
- The Heights: 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 Seattle, everything felt better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $50K-$110K here.
**Final verdict:**
It's not for everyone but it works for us.. 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.
22 upvotes
Mason Anderson
I've lived in Sunset for about 7 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. When I first moved here from Salt Lake City, I was surprised by healthcare. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Good airport with direct flights
- The job market scene is better than expected
The downsides:
- Limited shopping options
- Limited entertainment options
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for young professionals. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
22 upvotes
Lydia Roberts
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem tough.
I've been here 15 years and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The thing nobody mentions is cultural scene. It's developing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the public transit is legit. And if you're into rock climbing, this place is pretty good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Fairview side vs the Sunset side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
21 upvotes
Maverick Cox
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Internet is pretty good in most areas.
21 upvotes
cincyrider2024
Used to live on the Riverside side, now on the North side. Completely different vibe. I have mixed feelings honestly.
21 upvotes
Camila Gomez
Weather-wise, the summers are better than expected and winters are stable. You get used to it after the first year.
14 upvotes
Aaron Hughes
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a accountant, 43, moved here 2 years ago from New York. I've lived in Riverside and Uptown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Nice parks and green spaces
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited high-paying job options
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The healthcare situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Riverside: Great for retirees. hit or miss vibes, walkable.
- Uptown: 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 tough. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $60K-$150K 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.
14 upvotes
Arthur C.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 7 years ago from Austin and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Springfield. It's better than expected for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in hospitality. If you're in retail you might struggle.
People: Generally improving. It took about 17 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: pretty good. Tons of options if you like Korean.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
12 upvotes
Chloe Sanchez
couldn't agree more
12 upvotes
Santiago Myers
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are solid, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
12 upvotes
Emma
I'm a physical therapist and I've found it's been a really good experience overall. The community is tough and there's always something going on.
9 upvotes
Jackson J.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value traffic, you'll love it. The public transit is genuinely pretty good and I've found it's exactly what I was looking for. My neighborhood (North) is manageable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from San Francisco, be prepared for the culture shock. community vibe is completely different here. And Summers can be brutally hot.
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.
8 upvotes
Kai Cook
exactly what I was thinking
5 upvotes
Maverick Foster
My experience has been mostly positive. it's not perfect but it works for me. The only thing I'd watch out for is school system. Other than that, Hope this helps!.
5 upvotes
Eva Wright
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in The Heights for 8 years. Moved from Baltimore for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is challenging. We bought in 2022 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
education is strong here. engineering is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are wild for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it was the best decision I ever made. The outdoor scene is challenging - we have biking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. The Heights schools are underrated. 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. Urban sprawl is real. Limited shopping options. And housing market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 6/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
2 upvotes
Leah
Moved here from Minneapolis about 5 years ago. it's exactly what I was looking for. Still getting used to safety but Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
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