Been meaning to ask this. Homes are going for about $110,600 on average. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Worth the trade-offs?
8 upvotes
8 Replies
Ezra Williams
100%
37 upvotes
Abigail Cook
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 11 years ago from Pittsburgh and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Oak Park. It's hit or miss for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in hospitality. If you're in construction you might struggle.
People: Generally solid. It took about 10 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: surprisingly good. Tons of options if you like Indian.
No regrets on my end..
36 upvotes
Amelia Mitchell
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem excellent.
I've been here 11 years and it's improved dramatically in recent years. The thing nobody mentions is traffic. It's developing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the food scene is legit. And if you're into surfing, this place is excellent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Highland side vs the Cedar Grove side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
33 upvotes
Isaiah T.
thanks for sharing
32 upvotes
Naomi Castillo
Public transit is excellent here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it was the best decision I ever made.
28 upvotes
Oliver Young
literally same
26 upvotes
Anna Green
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem pretty good.
I've been here 4 years and it was the best decision I ever made. The thing nobody mentions is cost of living. It's growing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the food scene is legit. And if you're into photography, this place is better than expected.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Uptown side vs the West side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
24 upvotes
orlando_grace
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Highland for 7 years. Moved from Nashville for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is hit or miss. We bought in 2015 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
finance is strong here. finance is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are established for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The outdoor scene is tough - 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 hit or miss. 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. Road conditions need improvement. Far from beaches/mountains. And weather can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 5/10. Hope this helps!. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
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