Poverty rate is 12.5%, which is around average. Crime rate is something to consider -Leesburg sits at 731.1 per 100K. The weather takes some getting used to. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus.
28 upvotes
27 Replies
sacramentogirl2026
I work in engineering here and I love the pace of life here. The job market for my field is surprisingly good. Definitely worth checking out..
39 upvotes
Allison Long
underrated comment
39 upvotes
Jayden M.
The food scene here is hit or miss. Tons of great Indian places. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
38 upvotes
Nova S.
I've been living here for 7 years and I'd say I have mixed feelings honestly. The job market is challenging compared to other places I've lived. Overall Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
38 upvotes
Parker Miller
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value traffic, you'll love it. The food scene is genuinely tough and I've found it's improved dramatically in recent years. My neighborhood (Cedar Grove) is growing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Pittsburgh, be prepared for the culture shock. cost of living is completely different here. And Road conditions need improvement.
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.
35 upvotes
Benjamin N.
Public transit is surprisingly good here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's improved dramatically in recent years.
35 upvotes
Chloe Miller
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a sales manager, 44, moved here 7 years ago from Chicago. I've lived in Oak Park and Lakewood, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Strong job market in several industries
2. Active local events and festivals
3. Four distinct seasons
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Rising rent and home prices
2. Can feel isolated
3. The healthcare situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Oak Park: Great for retirees. pretty good vibes, walkable.
- Lakewood: 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 Chicago, everything felt average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $60K-$80K here.
**Final verdict:**
Feel free to reach out with 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.
30 upvotes
Wyatt Flores
I've been living here for 10 years and I'd say I have mixed feelings honestly. The housing market is average compared to other places I've lived. Overall Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
27 upvotes
true_harper78
I'm a sales manager and I've found I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The community is solid and there's always something going on.
27 upvotes
Theodore R.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem excellent.
I've been here 14 years and the quality of life is solid. The thing nobody mentions is traffic. It's competitive and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the walkability is legit. And if you're into rock climbing, this place is improving.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The South side vs the Greenfield side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
No regrets on my end..
27 upvotes
Piper Sanchez
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value pet-friendliness, you'll love it. The healthcare is genuinely average and I've found it's not perfect but it works for me. My neighborhood (Eastside) is affordable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from New York, be prepared for the culture shock. job market is completely different here. And Traffic during rush hour is rough.
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.
25 upvotes
Evan Myers
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are better than expected, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
23 upvotes
Zoe P.
Moved here from Dallas about 14 years ago. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Still getting used to nightlife but Feel free to reach out with questions..
22 upvotes
Brooks Brown
preach
21 upvotes
Gabriella Richardson
The food scene here is improving. Tons of great seafood places. it was the best decision I ever made.
18 upvotes
local_miles78
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is safety. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Worth doing your research before committing.
13 upvotes
Robert Bennett
wish I knew this sooner
13 upvotes
Edward C.
I've lived in Highland for about 4 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 Portland, I was surprised by cultural scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good internet infrastructure
- Active local events and festivals
- The outdoor recreation scene is improving
The downsides:
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
- Limited shopping options
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for couples. Feel free to reach out with questions..
10 upvotes
Addison M.
hmm interesting perspective
9 upvotes
Amelia Martinez
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem decent.
I've been here 4 years and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The thing nobody mentions is cultural scene. It's established and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the safety is legit. And if you're into rock climbing, this place is challenging.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Eastside side vs the Fairview side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
9 upvotes
Mia
this is the way
6 upvotes
Zoe Richardson
Came here for cost of living and stayed because it was the best decision I ever made. The cultural scene is honestly solid and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
5 upvotes
Evan Hall
Can confirm, been here 13 years.
4 upvotes
Wyatt D.
My experience has been mostly positive. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The only thing I'd watch out for is cost of living. Other than that, Good luck with whatever you decide..
3 upvotes
Lori G.
Used to live on the West side, now on the The Heights side. Completely different vibe. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now.
1 upvotes
Jonathan Price
Public transit is challenging here. You'll probably need a car for most things. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
All Countries
