First post here. I'm a nurse at the local hospital and There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Am I overthinking this?
4 upvotes
15 Replies
Silas Scott
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 14 years ago from Portland and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Greenfield. It's tough for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in finance. If you're in education you might struggle.
People: Generally pretty good. It took about 11 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: excellent. Tons of options if you like Mediterranean.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
32 upvotes
Camila M.
We moved here with our family and I genuinely enjoy living here. Schools in Meadowbrook area are surprisingly good. Kids love it here.
26 upvotes
Aaliyah Gray
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a contractor, 26, moved here 8 years ago from San Francisco. I've lived in Maple Ridge and Uptown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Good healthcare facilities
3. Close to major attractions
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Limited shopping options
3. The healthcare situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Maple Ridge: Great for couples. average vibes, walkable.
- Uptown: 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 San Francisco, everything felt solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $40K-$80K 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.
25 upvotes
Connor L.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a project manager who relocated here from Boston about 13 years ago. The main reasons were my partner's job and quality of life.
Pros I've experienced:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Lots of new development happening
- Active local events and festivals
Cons that are real:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Limited high-paying job options
Financially, we've found it pretty good compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are manageable, gas is surprisingly good.
Socially, it's improved dramatically in recent years. Feel free to reach out with questions..
25 upvotes
Ellie Cox
100%
24 upvotes
Jeremiah Patel
interesting, hadn't considered that
21 upvotes
Lily Martin
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it was the best decision I ever made. Good luck with whatever you decide..
14 upvotes
Zoey Thomas
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Highland for 3 years. Moved from Boston for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is hit or miss. We bought in 2017 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. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
retail is strong here. manufacturing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are competitive for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's been a really good experience overall. The outdoor scene is pretty good - 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 underrated. 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. Road conditions need improvement. And walkability can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 7/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
12 upvotes
Arianna Smith
Weather-wise, the summers are surprisingly good and winters are competitive. You get used to it after the first year.
10 upvotes
Colton Garcia
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem decent.
I've been here 5 years and I genuinely enjoy living here. The thing nobody mentions is housing market. It's pricey and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cultural scene is legit. And if you're into rock climbing, this place is excellent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Eastside side vs the Oak Park side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
10 upvotes
Isaiah Price
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a electrician, 38, moved here 15 years ago from Pittsburgh. I've lived in Sunset and Uptown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good healthcare facilities
2. Active local events and festivals
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Nightlife is limited
3. The nightlife situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Sunset: Great for singles. better than expected vibes, walkable.
- Uptown: 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 Pittsburgh, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $40K-$80K here.
**Final verdict:**
Good luck with whatever you decide.. 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.
9 upvotes
la_eva
Bought a house here in 2020 and I love the pace of life here. Property values have gone up significantly since then.
8 upvotes
Lily Harris
honestly same experience here
5 upvotes
Eva Phillips
I've been living here for 5 years and I'd say it's not perfect but it works for me. The dating scene is pretty good compared to other places I've lived. Overall It's not for everyone but it works for us..
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