OK so It's a a smaller city city with about 78,216 people.
1 upvotes
15 Replies
lake_benjamin34
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in The Heights for 14 years. Moved from Dallas for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is hit or miss. We bought in 2023 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
real estate is strong here. real estate is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are growing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's not perfect but it works for me. The outdoor scene is better than expected - we have state parks within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. The Heights schools are solid. 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. Limited shopping options. Dating scene is rough. And housing market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 9/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
38 upvotes
Mason
My experience has been mostly positive. I love the pace of life here. The only thing I'd watch out for is cultural scene. Other than that, Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
35 upvotes
Edward M.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a lawyer, 53, moved here 9 years ago from Dallas. I've lived in East and South, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Affordable housing options
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited shopping options
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The school system situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- East: Great for young professionals. improving vibes, walkable.
- South: 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 Dallas, everything felt decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $100K-$150K 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.
34 upvotes
Gianna Williams
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value housing market, you'll love it. The healthcare is genuinely excellent and I've found it's been a really good experience overall. My neighborhood (Springfield) is developing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Nashville, be prepared for the culture shock. job market is completely different here. And Nightlife is limited.
My advice would be to visit for at least a week before committing. Rent first, don't buy. And explore multiple neighborhoods - they're all different.
34 upvotes
Landon Ramirez
We moved here with our family and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Schools in East area are underrated. Kids love it here.
32 upvotes
Evelyn Jackson
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem tough.
I've been here 6 years and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The thing nobody mentions is outdoor recreation. It's stable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the traffic is legit. And if you're into hiking, this place is better than expected.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The East side vs the West side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
31 upvotes
isla_guy
We moved here with our family and the quality of life is solid. Schools in Greenfield area are tough. Kids love it here.
28 upvotes
Nolan Perez
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a software engineer who relocated here from Miami about 3 years ago. The main reasons were weather and weather.
Pros I've experienced:
- Strong job market in several industries
- Active local events and festivals
- Close to major attractions
Cons that are real:
- Winters are long and cold
- Dating scene is rough
Financially, we've found it average compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are affordable, gas is surprisingly good.
Socially, it's improved dramatically in recent years. Good luck with whatever you decide..
20 upvotes
Michael
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a electrician, 37, moved here 7 years ago from Dallas. I've lived in East and Cedar Grove, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Decent public transit for the size
2. Lots of new development happening
3. Close to major attractions
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Homeless population growing downtown
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The safety situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- East: Great for couples. underrated vibes, walkable.
- Cedar Grove: 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 Dallas, everything felt hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $60K-$80K here.
**Final verdict:**
Definitely worth checking out.. 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.
18 upvotes
Jose Rodriguez
Public transit is decent here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's improved dramatically in recent years.
12 upvotes
Benjamin A.
good to know, thanks
6 upvotes
Aaliyah Turner
The food scene here is surprisingly good. Tons of great craft beer places. I'm still on the fence after all this time.
2 upvotes
Austin Anderson
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a project manager, 32, moved here 2 years ago from LA. I've lived in Westside and Sunset, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good internet infrastructure
2. Active local events and festivals
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Not a lot of cultural diversity
3. The pet-friendliness situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Westside: Great for couples. average vibes, walkable.
- Sunset: 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 LA, everything felt better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $80K-$70K here.
**Final verdict:**
Happy to answer more specific questions.. 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.
2 upvotes
Kennedy T.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem solid.
I've been here 1 years and it's not perfect but it works for me. The thing nobody mentions is outdoor recreation. It's manageable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cost of living is legit. And if you're into kayaking, this place is tough.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Westside side vs the Cedar Grove side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
1 upvotes
Oliver Roberts
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem challenging.
I've been here 14 years and it exceeded my expectations. The thing nobody mentions is cultural scene. It's stable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the community vibe is legit. And if you're into photography, this place is average.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The East side vs the Midtown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.