We have two kids and Average temperature is around 54--F, so expect cold winters. Homes are going for about $391,100 on average. The unemployment rate is 1.5%, which is pretty low. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods.
Pros:
- Low crime in most areas
- Plenty of shopping options
- Good airport connections
Cons:
- Rising rent prices
- Sprawl everywhere
- High property taxes
- Homelessness issues downtown
It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Property taxes are high but you get good services. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The suburbs are where most families end up. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. The food scene here is surprisingly good. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level.
5 upvotes
12 Replies
Mateo King
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem solid.
I've been here 8 years and it was the best decision I ever made. The thing nobody mentions is traffic. It's wild and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the dating scene is legit. And if you're into skiing, this place is solid.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Meadowbrook side vs the Cedar Grove side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
40 upvotes
Nova Peterson
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem surprisingly good.
I've been here 14 years and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The thing nobody mentions is public transit. It's wild and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the school system is legit. And if you're into surfing, this place is better than expected.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Highland side vs the Midtown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
35 upvotes
Ezra D.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want healthcare, then yeah this place is great. But if walkability matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
29 upvotes
Paul C.
I work in retail here and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The job market for my field is solid. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
22 upvotes
Riley Cook
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in The Heights for 10 years. Moved from Chicago for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is hit or miss. We bought in 2016 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. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
education is strong here. retail is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are established for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I genuinely enjoy living here. The outdoor scene is underrated - we have desert landscapes within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. The Heights schools are challenging. 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. Not a lot of cultural diversity. And outdoor recreation can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 7/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
20 upvotes
boston_serenity
The food scene here is pretty good. Tons of great BBQ places. I genuinely enjoy living here.
12 upvotes
Anna Ramirez
haha yep pretty much
8 upvotes
Allison Green
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 12 years ago from Houston and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Pine Hills. It's surprisingly good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in government. If you're in construction you might struggle.
People: Generally decent. It took about 13 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: excellent. Tons of options if you like Thai.
No regrets on my end..
6 upvotes
Lydia P.
Totally agree!
5 upvotes
Ethan Castillo
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want school system, then yeah this place is great. But if community vibe matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
2 upvotes
Eugene R.
My experience has been mostly positive. I have mixed feelings honestly. The only thing I'd watch out for is dating scene. Other than that, Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
1 upvotes
Elizabeth S.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Uptown for 2 years. Moved from New York for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is decent. We bought in 2022 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. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
hospitality is strong here. real estate is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are growing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
the quality of life is solid. The outdoor scene is improving - 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. Uptown schools are excellent. 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 entertainment options. Far from beaches/mountains. And weather can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 9/10. Definitely worth checking out.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.