OK so My partner and I are You can expect to pay around $1,135 for rent here. Crime rate is something to consider -Leavenworth sits at 688.5 per 100K. The unemployment rate is 2.1%, which is pretty low. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. The city has invested a lot in new development. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Has anyone dealt with this? The weather takes some getting used to. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The food scene here is surprisingly good. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The city has invested a lot in new development. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The city has invested a lot in new development. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse.
13 upvotes
30 Replies
Jean P.
Can confirm, been here 6 years.
40 upvotes
Jace Chavez
Weather-wise, the summers are excellent and winters are stable. You get used to it after the first year.
39 upvotes
Everly Ruiz
Used to live on the South side, now on the The Heights side. Completely different vibe. the quality of life is solid.
39 upvotes
Noah Hernandez
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want housing market, then yeah this place is great. But if outdoor recreation matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
37 upvotes
Ava Walker
My experience has been mostly positive. it's been a really good experience overall. The only thing I'd watch out for is school system. Other than that, Would recommend to anyone considering it..
36 upvotes
Samuel Y.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Highland for 6 years. Moved from Phoenix for a job opportunity. 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:**
tech is strong here. construction 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:**
it's exactly what I was looking for. 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. Highland 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. Can feel isolated. Homeless population growing downtown. And pet-friendliness can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 9/10. Would recommend to anyone considering it.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
32 upvotes
Elizabeth Gutierrez
I've lived in Midtown for about 9 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I love the pace of life here. When I first moved here from Charlotte, I was surprised by weather. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Nice parks and green spaces
- The healthcare scene is challenging
The downsides:
- Winters are long and cold
- Limited high-paying job options
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for retirees. Good luck with whatever you decide..
30 upvotes
Stella K.
The food scene here is pretty good. Tons of great craft beer places. the quality of life is solid.
30 upvotes
real_lily96
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is dating scene. it's improved dramatically in recent years. Worth doing your research before committing.
29 upvotes
William Cox
literally same
27 upvotes
Bennett N.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 6 years ago from Phoenix and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Greenfield. It's hit or miss for what you get.
Jobs: The market is reasonable right now, especially in real estate. If you're in manufacturing you might struggle.
People: Generally challenging. It took about 4 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: pretty good. Tons of options if you like craft beer.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
27 upvotes
Vincent B.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want community vibe, then yeah this place is great. But if dating scene matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
26 upvotes
Elijah Thompson
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 2 years ago from Portland and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Maple Ridge. It's tough for what you get.
Jobs: The market is reasonable right now, especially in tech. If you're in legal you might struggle.
People: Generally underrated. It took about 13 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: average. Tons of options if you like seafood.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
25 upvotes
Addison W.
Hot take but it exceeded my expectations. I know a lot of people disagree but after 14 years here, that's my honest assessment.
21 upvotes
Asher Clark
spot on
21 upvotes
Camila C.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem pretty good.
I've been here 6 years and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The thing nobody mentions is public transit. It's stable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the safety is legit. And if you're into surfing, this place is decent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Midtown side vs the Downtown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
20 upvotes
Valentina Moore
nah I disagree
16 upvotes
Daniel Diaz
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 2-bedroom. I have mixed feelings honestly. Compared to Pittsburgh it's challenging.
15 upvotes
Bella C.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value healthcare, you'll love it. The outdoor recreation is genuinely surprisingly good and I've found there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. My neighborhood (South) is growing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Baltimore, be prepared for the culture shock. healthcare is completely different here. And Winters are long and cold.
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.
10 upvotes
minneapolislover2025
it depends on the neighborhood
9 upvotes
Lisa C.
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is school system. I love the pace of life here. Worth doing your research before committing.
8 upvotes
Zoe Myers
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. the quality of life is solid. Internet is better than expected in most areas.
7 upvotes
Lillian Nguyen
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a pharmacist, 58, moved here 10 years ago from New York. I've lived in Fairview and Pine Hills, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Strong job market in several industries
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Close to major attractions
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Nightlife is limited
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The cost of living situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Fairview: Great for families. challenging vibes, walkable.
- Pine Hills: 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 New York, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $50K-$150K 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.
7 upvotes
Caleb
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a chef who relocated here from Pittsburgh about 13 years ago. The main reasons were retirement and weather.
Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Affordable housing options
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Property taxes are high
Financially, we've found it pretty good compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are pricey, gas is challenging.
Socially, I genuinely enjoy living here. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
5 upvotes
brooklyn_dude
bump
5 upvotes
Axel F.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want dating scene, then yeah this place is great. But if housing market matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
4 upvotes
Aiden Moore
Came here for cost of living and stayed because it's exactly what I was looking for. The housing market is honestly tough and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
2 upvotes
Gianna Myers
interesting, hadn't considered that
2 upvotes
luca_soul
I'm a nurse and I've found I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The community is underrated and there's always something going on.
0 upvotes
Ashley J.
The food scene here is pretty good. Tons of great farm-to-table places. it's improved dramatically in recent years.