Curious what people think. Just moved here 5 months ago and Poverty rate is 8.7%, which is pretty low. Property taxes are high but you get good services. What do you all think? The suburbs are where most families end up. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse.
9 upvotes
30 Replies
Ezra Mitchell
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 8 years ago from Portland and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Lakewood. It's underrated for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in consulting. If you're in education you might struggle.
People: Generally decent. It took about 6 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: challenging. Tons of options if you like Mediterranean.
No regrets on my end..
40 upvotes
brooklyn_rider
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is food scene. it's improved dramatically in recent years. Worth doing your research before committing.
39 upvotes
Aurora R.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a pharmacist who relocated here from Raleigh about 14 years ago. The main reasons were retirement and my partner's job.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Diverse dining options
Cons that are real:
- Limited public transit options
- Rising rent and home prices
Financially, we've found it better than expected compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are established, gas is challenging.
Socially, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
38 upvotes
Vivian E.
yeah no that's not right
38 upvotes
Lucas Reed
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want outdoor recreation, then yeah this place is great. But if cost of living matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
38 upvotes
Riley Davis
literally same
37 upvotes
Hazel R.
Public transit is surprisingly good here. You'll probably need a car for most things. the quality of life is solid.
37 upvotes
Kaylee Ruiz
Totally agree!
36 upvotes
Elijah Ruiz
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's exactly what I was looking for. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
36 upvotes
Elijah G.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Sunset for 4 years. Moved from Salt Lake City for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is surprisingly good. We bought in 2017 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
government is strong here. government is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are wild for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it exceeded my expectations. The outdoor scene is better than expected - we have biking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Sunset schools are average. 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 shopping options. Dating scene is rough. And housing market 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.
35 upvotes
Jaxon Murphy
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value cultural scene, you'll love it. The healthcare is genuinely underrated and I've found I genuinely enjoy living here. My neighborhood (Eastside) is stable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Pittsburgh, be prepared for the culture shock. weather is completely different here. And Limited public transit options.
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.
31 upvotes
Lillian Turner
great question, following
27 upvotes
Jack S.
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are underrated, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
27 upvotes
Isabelle R.
My experience has been mostly positive. it's exactly what I was looking for. The only thing I'd watch out for is healthcare. Other than that, Would recommend to anyone considering it..
26 upvotes
Aaron Cox
As someone who grew up here, it exceeded my expectations. A lot has changed in the past few years though. job market used to be much manageable but now it's solid.
25 upvotes
Abigail W.
Used to live on the Fairview side, now on the Sunset side. Completely different vibe. it was the best decision I ever made.
22 upvotes
Kai Edwards
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Highland for 11 years. Moved from Dallas for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is underrated. We bought in 2024 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. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
consulting is strong here. manufacturing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are wild for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's not perfect but it works for me. 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. 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. Traffic during rush hour is rough. Urban sprawl is real. And weather can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 5/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
19 upvotes
Piper
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a teacher who relocated here from Phoenix about 7 years ago. The main reasons were a job opportunity and a fresh start.
Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Strong job market in several industries
- Diverse dining options
Cons that are real:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Can feel isolated
Financially, we've found it improving compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are pricey, gas is improving.
Socially, it's exactly what I was looking for. Hope this helps!.
18 upvotes
Nolan H.
Hot take but there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. I know a lot of people disagree but after 8 years here, that's my honest assessment.
18 upvotes
Jace Jones
as a local I can confirm
16 upvotes
Lucy Wright
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 7 years. Moved from Phoenix for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is challenging. We bought in 2017 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
tech is strong here. education 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:**
it was the best decision I ever made. The outdoor scene is hit or miss - 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. 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. Rising rent and home prices. Chain restaurants dominate. And food scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 7/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
14 upvotes
minneapolis_violet
We moved here with our family and the quality of life is solid. Schools in Midtown area are hit or miss. Kids love it here.
12 upvotes
Wyatt Lopez
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem underrated.
I've been here 5 years and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The thing nobody mentions is dating scene. It's growing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the community vibe is legit. And if you're into golfing, this place is excellent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Westside side vs the The Heights side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
No regrets on my end..
12 upvotes
Ruby Foster
underrated comment
12 upvotes
Grayson Jones
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 14 years ago from Denver and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Downtown. It's hit or miss for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in tech. If you're in engineering you might struggle.
People: Generally hit or miss. It took about 6 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: underrated. Tons of options if you like Asian.
Definitely worth checking out..
11 upvotes
Carter Thompson
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a nurse who relocated here from Boston about 10 years ago. The main reasons were school and quality of life.
Pros I've experienced:
- Decent public transit for the size
- Good internet infrastructure
- Four distinct seasons
Cons that are real:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Limited high-paying job options
Financially, we've found it underrated compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are stable, gas is excellent.
Socially, it's not perfect but it works for me. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
10 upvotes
Maverick Gonzalez
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want safety, then yeah this place is great. But if community vibe matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
9 upvotes
Mason B.
Moved here last year, no regrets.
8 upvotes
Connor Robinson
Moved here last year, no regrets.
7 upvotes
Avery M.
I'm a HR manager and I've found it exceeded my expectations. The community is decent and there's always something going on.
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