Hi all, I grew up here but left for a while. Poverty rate is 9.1%, which is pretty low. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Should I be concerned? There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly.
5 upvotes
13 Replies
Aaliyah Sanders
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a lawyer who relocated here from Portland about 14 years ago. The main reasons were work and school.
Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Decent public transit for the size
- Good internet infrastructure
Cons that are real:
- Property taxes are high
- Limited shopping options
Financially, we've found it underrated compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are wild, gas is average.
Socially, it's exactly what I was looking for. Good luck with whatever you decide..
40 upvotes
Leo Ward
I've lived in Highland for about 8 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I genuinely enjoy living here. When I first moved here from San Diego, I was surprised by food scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Four distinct seasons
- The public transit scene is decent
The downsides:
- Winters are long and cold
- Homeless population growing downtown
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for singles. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
32 upvotes
Joshua
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are pretty good, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
29 upvotes
Leah Rivera
hmm interesting perspective
24 upvotes
Reagan Kelly
as a local I can confirm
23 upvotes
Piper
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem better than expected.
I've been here 13 years and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The thing nobody mentions is nightlife. It's stable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the walkability is legit. And if you're into fishing, this place is decent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Riverside side vs the Sunset side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
19 upvotes
Miles O.
As someone who grew up here, it's been a really good experience overall. A lot has changed in the past few years though. safety used to be much stable but now it's hit or miss.
17 upvotes
Kennedy N.
I've lived in North for about 8 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
the quality of life is solid. When I first moved here from Raleigh, I was surprised by weather. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Good internet infrastructure
- The healthcare scene is pretty good
The downsides:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Road conditions need improvement
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for remote workers. Feel free to reach out with questions..
13 upvotes
Ella H.
Came here for school and stayed because I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The healthcare is honestly pretty good and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
10 upvotes
Isabella Flores
I work in retail here and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The job market for my field is surprisingly good. Good luck with whatever you decide..
6 upvotes
Aurora M.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a physical therapist who relocated here from Phoenix about 15 years ago. The main reasons were work and a job opportunity.
Pros I've experienced:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Close to major attractions
- Affordable housing options
Cons that are real:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Property taxes are high
Financially, we've found it decent compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are stable, gas is hit or miss.
Socially, I have mixed feelings honestly. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
4 upvotes
Hunter Garcia
Used to live on the East side, now on the Meadowbrook side. Completely different vibe. the quality of life is solid.
1 upvotes
tulsa_josiah
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 5 years ago from Salt Lake City and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Highland. It's tough for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in tech. If you're in finance you might struggle.
People: Generally average. It took about 5 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: better than expected. Tons of options if you like Indian.