We have two kids and The median home value here is around $413,600, which is pretty steep. Median household income is $118,482, which feels pretty solid for the area. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Does this match your experience? Thanks! The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much.
13 upvotes
10 Replies
Brielle T.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in The Heights for 9 years. Moved from Minneapolis for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is better than expected. We bought in 2020 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. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
construction is strong here. marketing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are affordable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The outdoor scene is excellent - we have desert landscapes within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. The Heights 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. Traffic during rush hour is rough. Summers can be brutally hot. And community vibe can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, 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.
38 upvotes
Lucy G.
The food scene here is hit or miss. Tons of great craft beer places. I genuinely enjoy living here.
36 upvotes
tucson_allison
yeah no that's not right
32 upvotes
Colton Gomez
not my experience at all
26 upvotes
Christian J.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 12 years ago from San Francisco and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Oak Park. It's tough for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in healthcare. If you're in manufacturing you might struggle.
People: Generally pretty good. It took about 7 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: average. Tons of options if you like BBQ.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
25 upvotes
Mason Scott
Moved here last year, no regrets.
20 upvotes
Isaac Richardson
The food scene here is pretty good. Tons of great BBQ places. I love the pace of life here.
18 upvotes
Peyton S.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem better than expected.
I've been here 2 years and the quality of life is solid. The thing nobody mentions is walkability. It's wild and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the food scene is legit. And if you're into surfing, this place is underrated.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The North side vs the West side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
11 upvotes
Samuel Phillips
haha yep pretty much
6 upvotes
Eli Ortiz
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value cultural scene, you'll love it. The public transit is genuinely improving and I've found I have mixed feelings honestly. My neighborhood (Springfield) is affordable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Seattle, be prepared for the culture shock. walkability is completely different here. And Summers can be brutally hot.
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.
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