It's a a small town city with about 13,880 people. You can expect to pay around $742 for rent here. Poverty rate is 13.5%, which is around average. Homes are going for about $198,900 on average. The median home value here is around $198,900, which is actually reasonable. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Anyone in a similar situation? The weather takes some getting used to. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The weather takes some getting used to. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Property taxes are high but you get good services. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The city has invested a lot in new development. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The suburbs are where most families end up. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that.
9 upvotes
11 Replies
Walter C.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem excellent.
I've been here 2 years and the quality of life is solid. The thing nobody mentions is public transit. It's affordable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the public transit is legit. And if you're into camping, this place is pretty good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Greenfield side vs the Fairview side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
32 upvotes
Emmett Foster
noted, appreciate it
32 upvotes
Rylee Roberts
I'm a marketing manager and I've found I love the pace of life here. The community is average and there's always something going on.
27 upvotes
Nevaeh M.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Highland for 5 years. Moved from Salt Lake City for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is improving. We bought in 2021 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
tech is strong here. finance is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are wild for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The outdoor scene is hit or miss - we have lakes 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 tough. 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. Homeless population growing downtown. And food scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 6/10. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
27 upvotes
Sofia Alvarez
I've been living here for 15 years and I'd say I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The walkability is underrated compared to other places I've lived. Overall Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
21 upvotes
Steven C.
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is cultural scene. I genuinely enjoy living here. Worth doing your research before committing.
21 upvotes
William Reed
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Westside for 9 years. Moved from Baltimore for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is surprisingly good. We bought in 2021 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. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
education is strong here. hospitality 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 have mixed feelings honestly. The outdoor scene is challenging - 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. Westside schools are pretty good. 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. Limited public transit options. And job market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 6/10. It's not for everyone but it works for us.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
14 upvotes
Emily Evans
Hot take but it's been a really good experience overall. I know a lot of people disagree but after 13 years here, that's my honest assessment.
8 upvotes
Donna M.
I work in education here and it's exactly what I was looking for. The job market for my field is challenging. No regrets on my end..
7 upvotes
Lucy C.
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are surprisingly good, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
6 upvotes
Joseph P.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem surprisingly good.
I've been here 1 years and I have mixed feelings honestly. The thing nobody mentions is cultural scene. It's wild and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the traffic is legit. And if you're into photography, this place is solid.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Highland side vs the Meadowbrook side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.