Curious what people think. I'm a 26-year-old electrician and It's a a smaller city city with about 34,466 people. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Any help is appreciated.
2 upvotes
10 Replies
Emma Foster
I've been living here for 2 years and I'd say I'm still on the fence after all this time. The nightlife is solid compared to other places I've lived. Overall No regrets on my end..
38 upvotes
Peyton Rogers
I work in education here and it exceeded my expectations. The job market for my field is decent. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
29 upvotes
Liam Flores
lol so true
23 upvotes
Zoe Lopez
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem hit or miss.
I've been here 6 years and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The thing nobody mentions is dating scene. It's manageable 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 challenging.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Westside side vs the Greenfield side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
22 upvotes
Audrey Roberts
been saying this for years
16 upvotes
Bennett
noted, appreciate it
14 upvotes
Jack R.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want weather, then yeah this place is great. But if job market matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
7 upvotes
Leonardo Sanchez
accurate
6 upvotes
Elijah Jackson
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 Portland for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is decent. We bought in 2016 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
manufacturing is strong here. engineering is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are manageable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's not perfect but it works for me. The outdoor scene is excellent - 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 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. Chain restaurants dominate. Bugs and humidity in summer. And job market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 5/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
4 upvotes
Joshua Lopez
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a HR manager, 35, moved here 14 years ago from Baltimore. I've lived in Old Town and Meadowbrook, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Close to major attractions
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Property taxes are high
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The community vibe situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Old Town: Great for young professionals. underrated vibes, walkable.
- Meadowbrook: 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 Baltimore, everything felt challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $40K-$150K here.
**Final verdict:**
Hope this helps!. 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.