Hey everyone, The unemployment rate is 2.0%, which is pretty low. The median home value here is around $182,700, which is actually reasonable. Poverty rate is 13.2%, which is around average. Average temperature is around 68--F, so the weather is moderate. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The weather takes some getting used to. What would you do? Looking forward to hearing from you all. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable.
22 upvotes
24 Replies
Piper C.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem pretty good.
I've been here 11 years and it exceeded my expectations. The thing nobody mentions is community vibe. It's growing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the healthcare is legit. And if you're into hiking, this place is better than expected.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The The Heights side vs the Downtown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
40 upvotes
Landon Hernandez
Weather-wise, the summers are tough and winters are pricey. You get used to it after the first year.
39 upvotes
Walter C.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem hit or miss.
I've been here 8 years and it's not perfect but it works for me. The thing nobody mentions is healthcare. It's competitive and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the traffic is legit. And if you're into hiking, this place is pretty good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The South side vs the Old Town side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
38 upvotes
Hudson Baker
Totally agree!
37 upvotes
Ariana Walker
The food scene here is excellent. Tons of great Vietnamese places. I love the pace of life here.
36 upvotes
Naomi Nelson
Can confirm, been here 15 years.
34 upvotes
nashvilleguy2025
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a physical therapist, 38, moved here 2 years ago from Houston. I've lived in Cedar Grove and East, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Urban sprawl is real
2. Dating scene is rough
3. The pet-friendliness situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Cedar Grove: Great for families. improving vibes, walkable.
- East: 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 Houston, everything felt improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $80K-$100K here.
**Final verdict:**
Hope this helps!. 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
Riley C.
Moved here from Phoenix about 6 years ago. I have mixed feelings honestly. Still getting used to healthcare but Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
27 upvotes
Colton Clark
Hot take but it's exactly what I was looking for. I know a lot of people disagree but after 8 years here, that's my honest assessment.
26 upvotes
Madelyn R.
Moved here last year, no regrets.
24 upvotes
Alexander Roberts
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value safety, you'll love it. The dating scene is genuinely challenging and I've found I genuinely enjoy living here. My neighborhood (Meadowbrook) is wild and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Denver, be prepared for the culture shock. outdoor recreation is completely different here. And Rising rent and home prices.
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.
23 upvotes
Amelia Jimenez
haha yep pretty much
23 upvotes
atl_liam
nah I disagree
21 upvotes
Adam Sanders
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 3 years ago from Raleigh 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 West. It's excellent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in hospitality. If you're in hospitality you might struggle.
People: Generally solid. It took about 4 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: excellent. Tons of options if you like Vietnamese.
Definitely worth checking out..
19 upvotes
Santiago Hernandez
Came here for school and stayed because I'm still on the fence after all this time. The nightlife is honestly excellent and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
14 upvotes
Eli N.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 3 years ago from Houston and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Cedar Grove. It's improving for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in marketing. If you're in government you might struggle.
People: Generally average. It took about 17 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: surprisingly good. Tons of options if you like Vietnamese.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
14 upvotes
lafan2020
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Highland for 9 years. Moved from Charlotte for family. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is decent. We bought in 2015 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
finance is strong here. construction is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are pricey for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I'm still on the fence after all this time. The outdoor scene is better than expected - 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. Summers can be brutally hot. Nightlife is limited. And school system can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 8/10. Hope this helps!. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
10 upvotes
Jordan Gonzalez
been saying this for years
10 upvotes
Leonardo
good to know, thanks
9 upvotes
Emilia Roberts
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are hit or miss, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
8 upvotes
Elijah Nguyen
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I have mixed feelings honestly. Internet is better than expected in most areas.
6 upvotes
coastal_piper98
haha yep pretty much
5 upvotes
Waylon Anderson
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a nurse, 30, moved here 5 years ago from Charlotte. I've lived in Greenfield and East, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Active local events and festivals
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally excellent - 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 community vibe situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Greenfield: Great for singles. better than expected vibes, walkable.
- East: 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 Charlotte, everything felt excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $90K-$150K here.
**Final verdict:**
Would recommend to anyone considering it.. 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.
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