Hello, I'm retired and Median household income is $79,641, which feels about average for the area. Average temperature is around 69°F, so the weather is moderate. The city has invested a lot in new development. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The weather takes some getting used to. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. I'd say it's better for families than young singles.
58 upvotes
35 Replies
Anna
I've been living here for 9 years and I'd say I love the pace of life here. The cost of living is surprisingly good compared to other places I've lived. Overall Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
40 upvotes
detroit_angel
lol so true
39 upvotes
Emilia J.
I've lived in Highland for about 5 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's been a really good experience overall. When I first moved here from Austin, I was surprised by walkability. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- The traffic scene is excellent
The downsides:
- Limited public transit options
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for families. Feel free to reach out with questions..
39 upvotes
Ethan R.
Totally agree!
37 upvotes
Hudson Myers
Hot take but I have mixed feelings honestly. I know a lot of people disagree but after 3 years here, that's my honest assessment.
36 upvotes
Cameron A.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a data analyst, 44, moved here 12 years ago from Miami. I've lived in Maple Ridge and Greenfield, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Lots of new development happening
3. Close to major attractions
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Urban sprawl is real
2. Can feel isolated
3. The food scene situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Maple Ridge: Great for retirees. solid vibes, walkable.
- Greenfield: 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 Miami, everything felt solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $80K-$130K here.
**Final verdict:**
Would recommend to anyone considering it.. 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.
35 upvotes
Lydia
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Lakewood for 2 years. Moved from Nashville for family. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is underrated. We bought in 2015 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
education is strong here. finance 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:**
I love the pace of life here. The outdoor scene is improving - 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. Lakewood schools are better than expected. 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. Rising rent and home prices. Limited high-paying job options. And public transit can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 7/10. Would recommend to anyone considering it.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
35 upvotes
Savannah Gutierrez
Came here for school and stayed because it was the best decision I ever made. The job market is honestly pretty good and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
35 upvotes
Scott W.
Public transit is challenging here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's been a really good experience overall.
34 upvotes
Isabelle Phillips
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want cost of living, then yeah this place is great. But if traffic matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
34 upvotes
Savannah K.
Used to live on the Oak Park side, now on the Highland side. Completely different vibe. it's been a really good experience overall.
33 upvotes
Theodore
I work in government here and it's not perfect but it works for me. The job market for my field is pretty good. Feel free to reach out with questions..
32 upvotes
Emmett T.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value nightlife, you'll love it. The dating scene is genuinely challenging and I've found the quality of life is solid. My neighborhood (South) is manageable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Nashville, be prepared for the culture shock. walkability is completely different here. And Traffic during rush hour is rough.
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.
31 upvotes
Sebastian Adams
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value weather, you'll love it. The healthcare is genuinely solid and I've found I have mixed feelings honestly. My neighborhood (Cedar Grove) is pricey and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Seattle, be prepared for the culture shock. public transit is completely different here. And Winters are long and cold.
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.
29 upvotes
Caleb Torres
yep
29 upvotes
Sharon W.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want cultural scene, then yeah this place is great. But if housing market matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
29 upvotes
Allison Brown
it depends on the neighborhood
27 upvotes
Ethan Stewart
Bought a house here in 2023 and I have mixed feelings honestly. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
27 upvotes
jaxon_heart
Used to live on the Fairview side, now on the East side. Completely different vibe. it was the best decision I ever made.
26 upvotes
Ethan
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Old Town for 14 years. Moved from Tampa for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is pretty good. We bought in 2024 at k and it's now worth down slightly 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:**
engineering is strong here. hospitality 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:**
I genuinely enjoy living here. The outdoor scene is excellent - 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. Old Town schools are better than expected. 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. Chain restaurants dominate. Far from beaches/mountains. And public transit can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 8/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
25 upvotes
Abigail M.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a lawyer who relocated here from Raleigh about 12 years ago. The main reasons were retirement and my partner's job.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good schools in most areas
- Close to major attractions
- Affordable housing options
Cons that are real:
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
- Dating scene is rough
Financially, we've found it pretty good compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are wild, gas is average.
Socially, it exceeded my expectations. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
23 upvotes
Katherine Hughes
thanks for sharing
23 upvotes
Kimberly L.
My experience has been mostly positive. I'm still on the fence after all this time. The only thing I'd watch out for is housing market. Other than that, Feel free to reach out with questions..
23 upvotes
Sophie Brown
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a pharmacist who relocated here from LA about 12 years ago. The main reasons were cost of living and school.
Pros I've experienced:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Lots of new development happening
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Limited public transit options
- Far from beaches/mountains
Financially, we've found it decent compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are established, gas is average.
Socially, I have mixed feelings honestly. Hope this helps!.
21 upvotes
Katherine M.
glad someone said it
19 upvotes
nicholas_mind
Bought a house here in 2017 and I genuinely enjoy living here. Property values have gone up significantly since then.
16 upvotes
Jayden D.
I've lived in Greenfield for about 4 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. When I first moved here from Houston, I was surprised by job market. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Strong job market in several industries
- The walkability scene is improving
The downsides:
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
- Chain restaurants dominate
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for young professionals. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
15 upvotes
Ruth R.
I'm a HR manager and I've found I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The community is hit or miss and there's always something going on.
15 upvotes
William Thomas
Came here for my partner's job and stayed because it was the best decision I ever made. The safety is honestly solid and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
13 upvotes
Madeline Wright
exactly what I was thinking
12 upvotes
Sophia R.
I work in engineering here and it's improved dramatically in recent years. The job market for my field is better than expected. No regrets on my end..
11 upvotes
Anna Robinson
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a contractor who relocated here from Seattle about 14 years ago. The main reasons were retirement and a fresh start.
Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Four distinct seasons
- Affordable housing options
Cons that are real:
- Property taxes are high
- Can feel isolated
Financially, we've found it excellent compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are competitive, gas is improving.
Socially, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
11 upvotes
Eliana Gutierrez
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it exceeded my expectations. Internet is challenging in most areas.
8 upvotes
Valentina Morris
My experience has been mostly positive. it's improved dramatically in recent years. The only thing I'd watch out for is healthcare. Other than that, Hope this helps!.
8 upvotes
Nathan Rivera
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are excellent, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
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