Longtime lurker here, I grew up here but left for a while. It's a a small town city with about 11,472 people. You can expect to pay around $879 for rent here. The median home value here is around $177,700, which is actually reasonable. Household incomes average around $45,507 in Kings Mountain. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much.
12 upvotes
11 Replies
Gabriel
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a chef, 44, moved here 5 years ago from Dallas. I've lived in Uptown and Old Town, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Low crime in most neighborhoods
3. Good healthcare facilities
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Can feel isolated
3. The school system situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Uptown: Great for remote workers. excellent vibes, walkable.
- Old Town: 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 Dallas, everything felt improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $80K-$120K here.
**Final verdict:**
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. 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.
28 upvotes
Hailey Hill
Came here for weather and stayed because I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The nightlife is honestly challenging and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
28 upvotes
Valentina
great question, following
25 upvotes
Mason Phillips
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Highland for 10 years. Moved from Raleigh for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is decent. 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. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
education is strong here. government is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are developing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's improved dramatically in recent years. The outdoor scene is average - we have rivers 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. Road conditions need improvement. Limited shopping options. And safety can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 7/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
24 upvotes
Josiah Jimenez
Moved here from Miami about 7 years ago. I have mixed feelings honestly. Still getting used to cost of living but Definitely worth checking out..
23 upvotes
mountain_sophia27
Weather-wise, the summers are excellent and winters are pricey. You get used to it after the first year.
23 upvotes
Ellie Mendoza
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value traffic, you'll love it. The cultural scene is genuinely surprisingly good and I've found I love the pace of life here. My neighborhood (Oak Park) is competitive and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from San Francisco, be prepared for the culture shock. cost of living is completely different here. And Can feel isolated.
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.
21 upvotes
scarlett_rider
I've lived in Midtown for about 12 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
the quality of life is solid. When I first moved here from Houston, I was surprised by housing market. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- The healthcare scene is challenging
The downsides:
- Nightlife is limited
- Not very walkable outside downtown
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for couples. Happy to answer more specific questions..
18 upvotes
Kinsley H.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 12 years ago from Austin and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Riverside. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in hospitality. If you're in healthcare you might struggle.
People: Generally solid. It took about 11 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: average. Tons of options if you like seafood.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
13 upvotes
sf_nathan
We moved here with our family and I genuinely enjoy living here. Schools in Sunset area are hit or miss. Kids love it here.
12 upvotes
Andrew Cox
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's been a really good experience overall. Definitely worth checking out..
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