Hey folks, My family moved here when I was a kid. Crime rate is something to consider -Lowell sits at 363.5 per 100K. Property taxes are high but you get good services.
56 upvotes
21 Replies
Lydia Morris
nah I disagree
37 upvotes
Violet Harris
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is cost of living. I genuinely enjoy living here. Worth doing your research before committing.
36 upvotes
Teresa S.
Bought a house here in 2017 and I love the pace of life here. Property values have gone up significantly since then.
35 upvotes
Cooper Lewis
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a data analyst, 37, moved here 13 years ago from Portland. I've lived in Cedar Grove and Springfield, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Low crime in most neighborhoods
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally hit or miss - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Nightlife is limited
2. Limited shopping options
3. The job market situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Cedar Grove: Great for singles. underrated vibes, walkable.
- Springfield: 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 Portland, everything felt excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $70K-$80K here.
**Final verdict:**
Happy to answer more specific 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.
33 upvotes
Joseph
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want outdoor recreation, then yeah this place is great. But if traffic matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
31 upvotes
Cora Hernandez
My experience has been mostly positive. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The only thing I'd watch out for is weather. Other than that, Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
31 upvotes
Liam
Public transit is tough here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's improved dramatically in recent years.
29 upvotes
Kaylee Sanders
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Highland for 2 years. Moved from Salt Lake City for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is decent. We bought in 2023 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. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
manufacturing is strong here. real estate is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are growing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I love the pace of life here. 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. Highland schools are improving. 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. Winters are long and cold. Limited high-paying job options. And outdoor recreation can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 7/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
29 upvotes
Katherine Thomas
I've lived in Meadowbrook for about 5 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I love the pace of life here. When I first moved here from Miami, I was surprised by community vibe. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Decent public transit for the size
- The walkability scene is better than expected
The downsides:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Homeless population growing downtown
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for families. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
28 upvotes
Vivian Brooks
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in North for 13 years. Moved from Austin for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is average. We bought in 2021 at k and it's now worth up significantly 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:**
manufacturing is strong here. manufacturing 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:**
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The outdoor scene is underrated - 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. North schools are better than expected. 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. Nightlife is limited. Far from beaches/mountains. And job market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 5/10. Definitely worth checking out.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
25 upvotes
Nicholas G.
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is weather. it exceeded my expectations. Worth doing your research before committing.
25 upvotes
nicholas_mind
Hot take but I have mixed feelings honestly. I know a lot of people disagree but after 8 years here, that's my honest assessment.
21 upvotes
real_serenity46
Public transit is challenging here. You'll probably need a car for most things. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
21 upvotes
Maverick
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is pet-friendliness. it's exactly what I was looking for. Worth doing your research before committing.
13 upvotes
Isaiah Mitchell
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a real estate agent, 25, moved here 4 years ago from Dallas. I've lived in East and Cedar Grove, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good internet infrastructure
2. Close to major attractions
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally hit or miss - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Rising rent and home prices
2. Not a lot of cultural diversity
3. The healthcare situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- East: Great for families. average vibes, walkable.
- Cedar Grove: 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 Dallas, everything felt hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $100K-$130K here.
**Final verdict:**
It's not for everyone but it works for us.. 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.
12 upvotes
Sophia M.
as a local I can confirm
12 upvotes
Isaiah Johnson
same here
12 upvotes
Charlotte Gutierrez
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value cost of living, you'll love it. The cost of living is genuinely hit or miss and I've found I love the pace of life here. My neighborhood (Lakewood) is pricey and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Charlotte, be prepared for the culture shock. outdoor recreation 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.
9 upvotes
Andrew
hard disagree but ok
7 upvotes
Daniel W.
As someone who grew up here, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. A lot has changed in the past few years though. traffic used to be much affordable but now it's solid.
All Countries
