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Gianna M. housing

Cost of living reality check -Mount Vista

Hey folks, I relocated for work and Rent is about $1,876/month for a decent place. Median household income is $101,189, which feels pretty solid for the area. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level.
9 upvotes

8 Replies

Everly W.
haha yep pretty much
40 upvotes
Lillian
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.

I'm a social worker who relocated here from Baltimore about 13 years ago. The main reasons were my partner's job and my partner's job.

Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Good schools in most areas
- Good healthcare facilities

Cons that are real:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Winters are long and cold

Financially, we've found it improving compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are developing, gas is excellent.

Socially, it's not perfect but it works for me. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
23 upvotes
Isabella Rivera
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.

I've been in Highland for 2 years. Moved from Denver for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:

**Housing:**
The market right now is average. We bought in 2018 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.

**Employment:**
legal is strong here. consulting is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are competitive for the area.

**Quality of Life:**
it was the best decision I ever made. The outdoor scene is hit or miss - we have desert landscapes 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 challenging. 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. Not very walkable outside downtown. Limited shopping options. And safety can be frustrating.

**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 5/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
23 upvotes
Daniel Hernandez
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.

Background: I'm a physical therapist, 31, moved here 4 years ago from New York. I've lived in Eastside and Westside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.

**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally average - I found my community within the first year

**What I don't love:**
1. Rising rent and home prices
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The walkability situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving

**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Eastside: Great for couples. average vibes, walkable.
- Westside: 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 New York, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $40K-$100K here.

**Final verdict:**
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. 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.
20 upvotes
Ariana Foster
seconding this
12 upvotes
Kenneth C.
Weather-wise, the summers are surprisingly good and winters are affordable. You get used to it after the first year.
8 upvotes
Savannah Scott
As someone who grew up here, the quality of life is solid. A lot has changed in the past few years though. safety used to be much reasonable but now it's excellent.
4 upvotes
mountain_liam77
Used to live on the West side, now on the Westside side. Completely different vibe. it's not perfect but it works for me.
3 upvotes
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