Hey, I relocated for work and It's a a small town city with about 17,469 people. Crime rate is something to consider -Idylwood sits at 130.5 per 100K. Rent is about $2,022/month for a decent place. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Does this match your experience? Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The food scene here is surprisingly good. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. The food scene here is surprisingly good.
8 upvotes
9 Replies
Sandra W.
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 2-bedroom. it's improved dramatically in recent years. Compared to Dallas it's average.
39 upvotes
Ezra L.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem tough.
I've been here 5 years and the quality of life is solid. The thing nobody mentions is safety. It's affordable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the pet-friendliness is legit. And if you're into biking, this place is average.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Greenfield side vs the Lakewood side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
36 upvotes
Maya Kelly
As someone who grew up here, it's been a really good experience overall. A lot has changed in the past few years though. traffic used to be much established but now it's tough.
29 upvotes
Addison
glad someone said it
19 upvotes
Olivia
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want pet-friendliness, then yeah this place is great. But if pet-friendliness matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
17 upvotes
Aubrey Gray
I've lived in Highland for about 15 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
the quality of life is solid. When I first moved here from Seattle, I was surprised by food scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Close to major attractions
- Affordable housing options
- The nightlife scene is pretty good
The downsides:
- Property taxes are high
- Road conditions need improvement
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for retirees. Definitely worth checking out..
15 upvotes
Caleb Morgan
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in North for 7 years. Moved from Portland for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is pretty good. We bought in 2020 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
education is strong here. tech is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are stable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's improved dramatically in recent years. The outdoor scene is tough - we have state parks 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 tough. 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. Limited shopping options. Homeless population growing downtown. And community vibe can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 5/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
10 upvotes
Lucas Moore
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value dating scene, you'll love it. The pet-friendliness is genuinely decent and I've found it was the best decision I ever made. My neighborhood (The Heights) is stable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from New York, be prepared for the culture shock. housing 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.
5 upvotes
Ava Rogers
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value pet-friendliness, you'll love it. The healthcare is genuinely hit or miss and I've found it's been a really good experience overall. My neighborhood (South) is manageable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Charlotte, be prepared for the culture shock. food scene is completely different here. And Property taxes are high.
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.