Not sure if this has been asked before, but We're a young couple and You can expect to pay around $843 for rent here. It's a a smaller city city with about 55,807 people. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The food scene here is surprisingly good. What do you all think?
20 upvotes
13 Replies
Eli
I've lived in Highland for about 11 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. When I first moved here from Chicago, I was surprised by walkability. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Lots of new development happening
- The walkability scene is underrated
The downsides:
- Property taxes are high
- Dating scene is rough
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for remote workers. Hope this helps!.
40 upvotes
Isabelle
I've been living here for 13 years and I'd say it's not perfect but it works for me. The housing market is pretty good compared to other places I've lived. Overall Would recommend to anyone considering it..
34 upvotes
Eli Young
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I genuinely enjoy living here. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
33 upvotes
Leonardo Cook
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem better than expected.
I've been here 14 years and I genuinely enjoy living here. The thing nobody mentions is pet-friendliness. It's manageable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the school system is legit. And if you're into mountain biking, this place is pretty good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Riverside side vs the Sunset side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
32 upvotes
Aiden Gray
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Pine Hills for 1 years. Moved from Tampa for weather. 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 3-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
education is strong here. consulting is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are manageable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The outdoor scene is average - we have hiking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Pine Hills schools are surprisingly good. 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 public transit options. Limited shopping options. And job market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 8/10. Definitely worth checking out.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
29 upvotes
Abigail White
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 15 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 3-bed in Greenfield. It's decent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in legal. If you're in consulting you might struggle.
People: Generally excellent. It took about 8 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: pretty good. Tons of options if you like Indian.
No regrets on my end..
24 upvotes
Isaiah M.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a lawyer who relocated here from Tampa about 3 years ago. The main reasons were weather and weather.
Pros I've experienced:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Rising rent and home prices
Financially, we've found it surprisingly good compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are affordable, gas is improving.
Socially, it's not perfect but it works for me. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
20 upvotes
Arianna
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 5 years ago from Chicago and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Springfield. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in finance. If you're in manufacturing you might struggle.
People: Generally surprisingly good. It took about 6 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: challenging. Tons of options if you like BBQ.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
20 upvotes
Maya Ortiz
bump
16 upvotes
Reagan Morgan
great question, following
15 upvotes
proud_evan83
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Oak Park for 7 years. Moved from San Diego for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is challenging. We bought in 2019 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. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
real estate is strong here. engineering is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are competitive for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's improved dramatically in recent years. The outdoor scene is surprisingly good - we have national forests within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Oak Park schools are underrated. 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. Dating scene is rough. And school system can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 5/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
14 upvotes
Clara Robinson
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Greenfield for 8 years. Moved from New York for family. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is average. We bought in 2016 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. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
finance is strong here. healthcare 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:**
I love the pace of life here. The outdoor scene is hit or miss - we have beaches within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Greenfield schools are underrated. 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. Property taxes are high. Bugs and humidity in summer. And public transit can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 9/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
11 upvotes
Ruby
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is weather. I have mixed feelings honestly. Worth doing your research before committing.
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