Random thought, I'm a teacher here and Median household income is $51,277, which feels on the lower side for the area. It's a a smaller city city with about 79,504 people. Property taxes are high but you get good services. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The suburbs are where most families end up. The suburbs are where most families end up. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Night life is decent if you know the right spots.
27 upvotes
23 Replies
Gabriel Rogers
following this thread
39 upvotes
Everly Sanchez
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are hit or miss, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
38 upvotes
Hannah
I've lived in Highland for about 3 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 Chicago, I was surprised by food scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Decent public transit for the size
- The housing market scene is surprisingly good
The downsides:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Road conditions need improvement
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for couples. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
37 upvotes
Ruby Cooper
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I love the pace of life here. Internet is decent in most areas.
32 upvotes
Sophia Peterson
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a software engineer who relocated here from Seattle about 4 years ago. The main reasons were work and school.
Pros I've experienced:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Lots of new development happening
- Affordable housing options
Cons that are real:
- Chain restaurants dominate
- Homeless population growing downtown
Financially, we've found it surprisingly good compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are manageable, gas is underrated.
Socially, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Feel free to reach out with questions..
31 upvotes
Jacob Price
Used to live on the Midtown side, now on the Sunset side. Completely different vibe. it was the best decision I ever made.
30 upvotes
desert_jose87
facts
24 upvotes
John Thompson
great question, following
24 upvotes
coastal_ezekiel32
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are underrated, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
22 upvotes
Gianna W.
great question, following
20 upvotes
Theodore K.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a marketing manager, 35, moved here 12 years ago from Charlotte. I've lived in Sunset and Westside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Strong job market in several industries
2. Lots of new development happening
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally solid - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Limited high-paying job options
3. The healthcare situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Sunset: Great for couples. decent vibes, walkable.
- Westside: 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 Charlotte, everything felt challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $100K-$100K 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.
20 upvotes
detroitkid2026
haha yep pretty much
20 upvotes
Riley
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is housing market. the quality of life is solid. Worth doing your research before committing.
19 upvotes
Isabella Lewis
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a chef who relocated here from Salt Lake City about 14 years ago. The main reasons were school and quality of life.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Good internet infrastructure
Cons that are real:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Nightlife is limited
Financially, we've found it surprisingly good compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are pricey, gas is solid.
Socially, I'm still on the fence after all this time. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
19 upvotes
nyc_sebastian
I've been living here for 7 years and I'd say it was the best decision I ever made. The school system is tough compared to other places I've lived. Overall Would recommend to anyone considering it..
19 upvotes
Raymond C.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a pharmacist who relocated here from Austin about 7 years ago. The main reasons were weather and retirement.
Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Lots of new development happening
- Good internet infrastructure
Cons that are real:
- Road conditions need improvement
- Homeless population growing downtown
Financially, we've found it excellent compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are competitive, gas is tough.
Socially, I love the pace of life here. Definitely worth checking out..
16 upvotes
Luca Edwards
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are excellent, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
15 upvotes
Anthony M.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in North for 4 years. Moved from San Diego for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is decent. We bought in 2015 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
manufacturing is strong here. legal 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:**
the quality of life is solid. The outdoor scene is average - 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. North 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. Bugs and humidity in summer. Far from beaches/mountains. And safety can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 7/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
14 upvotes
Hunter Price
as a local I can confirm
13 upvotes
Eva Reed
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in North for 4 years. Moved from Miami for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is challenging. We bought in 2022 at k and it's now worth up significantly 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:**
consulting is strong here. hospitality 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 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. North schools are solid. 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. Traffic during rush hour is rough. Property taxes are high. And safety can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 5/10. Hope this helps!. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
12 upvotes
Everett Kim
I've lived in East for about 14 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I have mixed feelings honestly. When I first moved here from Portland, I was surprised by healthcare. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Strong job market in several industries
- Diverse dining options
- The weather scene is solid
The downsides:
- Homeless population growing downtown
- Far from beaches/mountains
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for retirees. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
10 upvotes
Jameson L.
Totally agree!
5 upvotes
charlottesoul2022
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 10 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 Maple Ridge. It's pretty good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in construction. If you're in engineering you might struggle.
People: Generally pretty good. It took about 16 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: pretty good. Tons of options if you like seafood.
All Countries
