First post here. Median household income is $172,654, which feels pretty solid for the area. Average temperature is around 67--F, so the weather is moderate. The unemployment rate is 2.0%, which is pretty low. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Should I be concerned? It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. The city has invested a lot in new development. The weather takes some getting used to. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The weather takes some getting used to. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The suburbs are where most families end up. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The suburbs are where most families end up. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Property taxes are high but you get good services. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much.
26 upvotes
9 Replies
Sadie E.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a contractor who relocated here from Baltimore about 9 years ago. The main reasons were a job opportunity and my partner's job.
Pros I've experienced:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Affordable housing options
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Can feel isolated
- Limited shopping options
Financially, we've found it surprisingly good compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are developing, gas is excellent.
Socially, it's exactly what I was looking for. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
36 upvotes
Sofia Ramirez
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Highland for 5 years. Moved from Dallas for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is improving. We bought in 2024 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. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
finance is strong here. construction is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are reasonable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I genuinely enjoy living here. The outdoor scene is underrated - we have mountains 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 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. Chain restaurants dominate. Homeless population growing downtown. And food scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 6/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
36 upvotes
Everett
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 10 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 1-bed in Sunset. It's better than expected for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in marketing. If you're in education you might struggle.
People: Generally solid. It took about 7 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: surprisingly good. Tons of options if you like Korean.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
30 upvotes
Roger M.
We moved here with our family and it's not perfect but it works for me. Schools in Riverside area are challenging. Kids love it here.
23 upvotes
Scarlett Nguyen
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are tough, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
17 upvotes
Eli Chavez
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 9 years ago from Salt Lake City and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Downtown. It's tough for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in real estate. If you're in education you might struggle.
People: Generally better than expected. It took about 8 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: tough. Tons of options if you like Indian.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
11 upvotes
living_ian11
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a social worker, 58, moved here 11 years ago from San Diego. I've lived in The Heights and West, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Decent public transit for the size
2. Affordable housing options
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally hit or miss - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The walkability situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- The Heights: Great for singles. better than expected vibes, walkable.
- West: 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 San Diego, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $60K-$70K here.
**Final verdict:**
Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. 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.
9 upvotes
Jayden
literally same
4 upvotes
Hudson P.
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are solid, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
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