Anyone else feel this way? Rent is about $1,417/month for a decent place. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The food scene here is surprisingly good.
13 upvotes
14 Replies
Donna H.
hmm interesting perspective
30 upvotes
orlandomind2023
I've lived in Highland for about 2 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I have mixed feelings honestly. When I first moved here from Dallas, I was surprised by walkability. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Strong job market in several industries
- Four distinct seasons
- The weather scene is underrated
The downsides:
- Nightlife is limited
- Far from beaches/mountains
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for families. No regrets on my end..
29 upvotes
Audrey Bennett
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a contractor who relocated here from Austin about 4 years ago. The main reasons were my partner's job and retirement.
Pros I've experienced:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Strong job market in several industries
- Good airport with direct flights
Cons that are real:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Winters are long and cold
Financially, we've found it tough compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are reasonable, gas is hit or miss.
Socially, it's been a really good experience overall. Hope this helps!.
25 upvotes
Adrian Nelson
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a marketing manager, 29, moved here 12 years ago from San Francisco. I've lived in Cedar Grove and Highland, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good internet infrastructure
2. Four distinct seasons
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally average - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Rising rent and home prices
2. Not a lot of cultural diversity
3. The school system situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Cedar Grove: Great for singles. challenging vibes, walkable.
- Highland: 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 Francisco, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $40K-$140K here.
**Final verdict:**
Good luck with whatever you decide.. 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.
22 upvotes
miami_jayden
I'm a writer and I've found I genuinely enjoy living here. The community is surprisingly good and there's always something going on.
21 upvotes
Liam P.
Weather-wise, the summers are hit or miss and winters are manageable. You get used to it after the first year.
20 upvotes
Liam D.
Came here for work and stayed because the quality of life is solid. The school system is honestly better than expected and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
17 upvotes
Brooks King
not my experience at all
15 upvotes
Colton Young
I've lived in Eastside for about 2 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's exactly what I was looking for. When I first moved here from Houston, I was surprised by safety. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Lots of new development happening
- Good internet infrastructure
- The school system scene is excellent
The downsides:
- Limited public transit options
- Winters are long and cold
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for families. Happy to answer more specific questions..
11 upvotes
Alexa Price
This.
10 upvotes
Susan C.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a project manager, 30, moved here 10 years ago from Salt Lake City. I've lived in East and Fairview, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Growing food and restaurant scene
3. Decent public transit for the size
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited high-paying job options
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The housing market situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- East: Great for families. improving vibes, walkable.
- Fairview: 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 Salt Lake City, everything felt hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $90K-$70K here.
**Final verdict:**
Happy to answer more specific questions.. 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.
6 upvotes
Wyatt Nelson
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is nightlife. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Worth doing your research before committing.
6 upvotes
Ezra O.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a physical therapist who relocated here from Chicago about 9 years ago. The main reasons were family and a fresh start.
Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Lots of new development happening
- Four distinct seasons
Cons that are real:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Property taxes are high
Financially, we've found it better than expected compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are manageable, gas is tough.
Socially, it's been a really good experience overall. Hope this helps!.