Hey, Median household income is $70,524, which feels about average for the area. The unemployment rate is 3.2%, which is pretty low. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The weather takes some getting used to. Would love some local perspective. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The suburbs are where most families end up. Property taxes are high but you get good services. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. I'd say it's better for families than young singles.
25 upvotes
29 Replies
Matthew
Moved here from Baltimore about 14 years ago. it exceeded my expectations. Still getting used to outdoor recreation but It's not for everyone but it works for us..
36 upvotes
Natalie White
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 4-bedroom. it's been a really good experience overall. Compared to Phoenix it's tough.
35 upvotes
Savannah R.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a software engineer who relocated here from Denver about 15 years ago. The main reasons were weather and my partner's job.
Pros I've experienced:
- Decent public transit for the size
- Strong job market in several industries
- Good airport with direct flights
Cons that are real:
- Winters are long and cold
- Dating scene is rough
Financially, we've found it average compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are stable, gas is better than expected.
Socially, I'm still on the fence after all this time. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
31 upvotes
Valentina
it depends on the neighborhood
31 upvotes
Riley Evans
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want traffic, then yeah this place is great. But if community vibe matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
29 upvotes
Harper Hernandez
accurate
28 upvotes
Ellie Thomas
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Highland for 13 years. Moved from Pittsburgh for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is challenging. We bought in 2023 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. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
consulting is strong here. construction 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'm still on the fence after all this time. The outdoor scene is tough - 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. Highland 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. Urban sprawl is real. Bugs and humidity in summer. And cultural scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 8/10. Definitely worth checking out.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
27 upvotes
Jack Murphy
Came here for school and stayed because it exceeded my expectations. The nightlife is honestly surprisingly good and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
27 upvotes
Connor Baker
I'm a nurse and I've found it was the best decision I ever made. The community is hit or miss and there's always something going on.
26 upvotes
Adam Morgan
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are solid, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
26 upvotes
Mason Sanders
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is school system. it exceeded my expectations. Worth doing your research before committing.
25 upvotes
Charlotte T.
been saying this for years
23 upvotes
Lucy Martinez
As someone who grew up here, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. A lot has changed in the past few years though. public transit used to be much growing but now it's better than expected.
23 upvotes
nola_andrew
bump
21 upvotes
Julian W.
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's improved dramatically in recent years. No regrets on my end..
20 upvotes
Aiden L.
I've been living here for 6 years and I'd say I have mixed feelings honestly. The school system is challenging compared to other places I've lived. Overall Would recommend to anyone considering it..
18 upvotes
Mason J.
I've lived in Springfield for about 8 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's improved dramatically in recent years. When I first moved here from Nashville, I was surprised by safety. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- The food scene scene is surprisingly good
The downsides:
- Nightlife is limited
- Limited high-paying job options
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for families. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
18 upvotes
Willow Williams
Hot take but it's improved dramatically in recent years. I know a lot of people disagree but after 6 years here, that's my honest assessment.
17 upvotes
milwaukee_jackson
Can confirm, been here 6 years.
15 upvotes
Abigail T.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 2 years ago from Dallas and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Meadowbrook. It's tough for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in education. If you're in finance you might struggle.
People: Generally better than expected. It took about 10 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: better than expected. Tons of options if you like Thai.
No regrets on my end..
14 upvotes
Clara Brooks
Moved here from Chicago about 11 years ago. it's been a really good experience overall. Still getting used to cost of living but No regrets on my end..
13 upvotes
Camila Wood
+1
13 upvotes
Addison Parker
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 4-bedroom. it's not perfect but it works for me. Compared to Seattle it's tough.
12 upvotes
Ruth M.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want cultural scene, then yeah this place is great. But if weather matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
11 upvotes
Thomas
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 4 years ago from San Diego and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Lakewood. It's tough for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in tech. If you're in finance you might struggle.
People: Generally better than expected. It took about 17 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: excellent. Tons of options if you like Thai.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
8 upvotes
Ava Young
Bought a house here in 2024 and it's been a really good experience overall. Property values have gone about the same since then.
7 upvotes
Leo Ross
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: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Old Town. It's better than expected for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in legal. If you're in legal you might struggle.
People: Generally hit or miss. It took about 15 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: underrated. Tons of options if you like Italian.
Hope this helps!.
1 upvotes
Rylee Hall
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value outdoor recreation, you'll love it. The dating scene is genuinely excellent and I've found I genuinely enjoy living here. My neighborhood (Maple Ridge) is growing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Charlotte, be prepared for the culture shock. pet-friendliness 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.
0 upvotes
Jordan Hughes
I've lived in Downtown for about 13 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I'm still on the fence after all this time. When I first moved here from Charlotte, I was surprised by school system. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- The public transit scene is tough
The downsides:
- Nightlife is limited
- Homeless population growing downtown
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for couples. Hope this helps!.
All Countries
