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Vivian Chavez best-worst

Unpopular opinion about Monon

Alright, Any advice would be great. The suburbs are where most families end up. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that.
7 upvotes

5 Replies

nyclover2022
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.

I'm a pharmacist who relocated here from San Francisco about 12 years ago. The main reasons were school and my partner's job.

Pros I've experienced:
- Good healthcare facilities
- Good internet infrastructure
- Active local events and festivals

Cons that are real:
- Nightlife is limited
- Homeless population growing downtown

Financially, we've found it excellent compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are established, gas is hit or miss.

Socially, I have mixed feelings honestly. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
29 upvotes
Leo Anderson
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 Austin for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:

**Housing:**
The market right now is better than expected. We bought in 2022 at k and it's now worth up significantly 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:**
healthcare is strong here. engineering is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are pricey for the area.

**Quality of Life:**
the quality of life is solid. The outdoor scene is decent - 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. Highland schools are average. 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. Far from beaches/mountains. And nightlife can be frustrating.

**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 9/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
23 upvotes
nycguy2024
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.

I'm a marketing manager who relocated here from Miami about 9 years ago. The main reasons were work and school.

Pros I've experienced:
- Good schools in most areas
- Good healthcare facilities
- Strong job market in several industries

Cons that are real:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Urban sprawl is real

Financially, we've found it underrated compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are manageable, gas is underrated.

Socially, it's improved dramatically in recent years. Happy to answer more specific questions..
19 upvotes
Jackson Jimenez
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.

If you value weather, you'll love it. The food scene is genuinely pretty good and I've found it's been a really good experience overall. My neighborhood (Old Town) is wild and I feel safe walking around at night.

But if you're coming from San Diego, be prepared for the culture shock. weather is completely different here. And Not very walkable outside downtown.

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.
16 upvotes
Christian Cook
this is the way
14 upvotes
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