I work in healthcare and It's a a small town city with about 10,873 people. The unemployment rate is 1.7%, which is pretty low. The city has invested a lot in new development. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Am I overthinking this? Property taxes are high but you get good services. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The suburbs are where most families end up. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level.
7 upvotes
13 Replies
Asher Mendoza
bump
39 upvotes
Adrian L.
I've been living here for 15 years and I'd say it's improved dramatically in recent years. The weather is average compared to other places I've lived. Overall It's not for everyone but it works for us..
39 upvotes
Benjamin Rogers
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem better than expected.
I've been here 3 years and it was the best decision I ever made. The thing nobody mentions is healthcare. It's reasonable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cost of living is legit. And if you're into mountain biking, this place is hit or miss.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Midtown side vs the Westside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Definitely worth checking out..
38 upvotes
Everly
lol so true
31 upvotes
Kaylee Jackson
honestly same experience here
31 upvotes
Carson Bailey
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a chef who relocated here from Minneapolis about 12 years ago. The main reasons were school and family.
Pros I've experienced:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Good internet infrastructure
- Affordable housing options
Cons that are real:
- Can feel isolated
- Limited entertainment options
Financially, we've found it hit or miss compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are reasonable, gas is surprisingly good.
Socially, I love the pace of life here. Feel free to reach out with questions..
26 upvotes
Logan Lopez
100%
21 upvotes
Emmett Watson
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a electrician, 50, moved here 11 years ago from Minneapolis. I've lived in Midtown and Lakewood, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Nice parks and green spaces
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Rising rent and home prices
2. Not very walkable outside downtown
3. The weather situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Midtown: Great for remote workers. challenging vibes, walkable.
- Lakewood: 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 Minneapolis, everything felt average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $50K-$130K 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.
20 upvotes
Adam M.
good to know, thanks
11 upvotes
Claire Flores
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's been a really good experience overall. Internet is average in most areas.
11 upvotes
mesa_luke
Weather-wise, the summers are surprisingly good and winters are growing. You get used to it after the first year.
9 upvotes
Chloe Hernandez
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
5 upvotes
Roman Edwards
I've lived in Highland for about 2 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I genuinely enjoy living here. When I first moved here from Minneapolis, I was surprised by public transit. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Nice parks and green spaces
- The food scene scene is improving
The downsides:
- Nightlife is limited
- Can feel isolated
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for families. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
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