Curious what people think. You can expect to pay around $1,858 for rent here. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Am I overthinking this? Public transit needs a lot of work honestly.
8 upvotes
24 Replies
Madelyn Green
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value community vibe, you'll love it. The walkability is genuinely tough and I've found it's exactly what I was looking for. My neighborhood (South) is manageable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Atlanta, be prepared for the culture shock. job market 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.
40 upvotes
ethan_mama
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I love the pace of life here. Internet is tough in most areas.
36 upvotes
Noah Price
As someone who grew up here, I love the pace of life here. A lot has changed in the past few years though. weather used to be much affordable but now it's challenging.
34 upvotes
wild_daniel4
Weather-wise, the summers are challenging and winters are growing. You get used to it after the first year.
33 upvotes
Kaylee Jimenez
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a physical therapist who relocated here from Tampa about 1 years ago. The main reasons were school and weather.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good schools in most areas
- Lots of new development happening
- Active local events and festivals
Cons that are real:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Property taxes are high
Financially, we've found it tough compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are wild, gas is average.
Socially, it's improved dramatically in recent years. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
31 upvotes
Piper E.
as a local I can confirm
31 upvotes
Bennett Martin
great question, following
31 upvotes
Santiago Ward
I work in marketing here and it was the best decision I ever made. The job market for my field is improving. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
29 upvotes
lake_kai53
Bought a house here in 2016 and the quality of life is solid. Property values have gone up significantly since then.
28 upvotes
Benjamin A.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a project manager, 31, moved here 2 years ago from Houston. I've lived in Cedar Grove and North, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Lots of new development happening
2. Active local events and festivals
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Urban sprawl is real
3. The public transit situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Cedar Grove: Great for couples. pretty good 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 Houston, everything felt underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $70K-$90K here.
**Final verdict:**
Feel free to reach out with 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.
28 upvotes
Zoe R.
Used to live on the Riverside side, now on the Eastside side. Completely different vibe. it's improved dramatically in recent years.
24 upvotes
Jack Castillo
yeah no that's not right
24 upvotes
Bobby J.
haha yep pretty much
22 upvotes
Paisley Murphy
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value community vibe, you'll love it. The healthcare is genuinely pretty good and I've found the quality of life is solid. My neighborhood (North) is developing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Atlanta, be prepared for the culture shock. community vibe is completely different here. And Chain restaurants dominate.
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.
22 upvotes
Weston Campbell
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Highland for 4 years. Moved from Austin for family. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is average. We bought in 2019 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
manufacturing is strong here. tech is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are affordable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it was the best decision I ever made. The outdoor scene is average - we have rivers within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Highland schools are hit or miss. 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. Not a lot of cultural diversity. Bugs and humidity in summer. And community vibe can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 9/10. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
18 upvotes
Nevaeh Castillo
couldn't agree more
18 upvotes
Serenity E.
100%
17 upvotes
Mateo Ruiz
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a marketing manager who relocated here from Portland about 1 years ago. The main reasons were weather and weather.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good schools in most areas
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Lots of new development happening
Cons that are real:
- Property taxes are high
- Limited entertainment options
Financially, we've found it average compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are affordable, gas is surprisingly good.
Socially, it's exactly what I was looking for. No regrets on my end..
16 upvotes
Matthew
We moved here with our family and it's improved dramatically in recent years. Schools in Pine Hills area are solid. Kids love it here.
13 upvotes
Sarah M.
preach
12 upvotes
Luca Chavez
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 3 years ago from New York and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Westside. It's improving for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in retail. If you're in education you might struggle.
People: Generally solid. It took about 8 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: challenging. Tons of options if you like Asian.
No regrets on my end..
11 upvotes
Valentina Collins
lol so true
5 upvotes
Jayden Jackson
Moved here from Phoenix about 6 years ago. I love the pace of life here. Still getting used to healthcare but No regrets on my end..
3 upvotes
Paisley T.
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I genuinely enjoy living here. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
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