It's a a small town city with about 11,856 people. Poverty rate is 5.1%, which is pretty low. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Property taxes are high but you get good services. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. What do you all think? Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. The suburbs are where most families end up. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Night life is decent if you know the right spots.
13 upvotes
15 Replies
Nevaeh Ward
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a data analyst who relocated here from Austin about 12 years ago. The main reasons were a fresh start and family.
Pros I've experienced:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Lots of new development happening
- Close to major attractions
Cons that are real:
- Limited high-paying job options
- Limited entertainment options
Financially, we've found it improving compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are growing, gas is better than expected.
Socially, it exceeded my expectations. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
38 upvotes
Julia Taylor
100%
38 upvotes
Elijah Perez
We moved here with our family and the quality of life is solid. Schools in Sunset area are average. Kids love it here.
35 upvotes
portlandrunner2021
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value cultural scene, you'll love it. The cultural scene is genuinely tough and I've found I love the pace of life here. My neighborhood (South) is reasonable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Chicago, be prepared for the culture shock. outdoor recreation 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.
33 upvotes
Victoria Parker
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem average.
I've been here 1 years and it's been a really good experience overall. The thing nobody mentions is housing market. It's pricey and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the outdoor recreation is legit. And if you're into skiing, this place is underrated.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Lakewood side vs the Maple Ridge side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
32 upvotes
Hudson James
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Westside for 7 years. Moved from Portland for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is decent. We bought in 2018 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
hospitality is strong here. real estate is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are established for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's exactly what I was looking for. The outdoor scene is improving - we have hiking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Westside schools are hit or miss. 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. Rising rent and home prices. Can feel isolated. And housing market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 5/10. It's not for everyone but it works for us.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
31 upvotes
Theresa P.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a real estate agent, 42, moved here 4 years ago from LA. I've lived in Pine Hills and Riverside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Low crime in most neighborhoods
2. Good healthcare facilities
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited entertainment options
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The safety situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Pine Hills: Great for young professionals. average vibes, walkable.
- Riverside: 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 excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $40K-$140K here.
**Final verdict:**
It's not for everyone but it works for us.. 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.
26 upvotes
benjamin_mind
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem tough.
I've been here 1 years and it's not perfect but it works for me. The thing nobody mentions is healthcare. It's developing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the outdoor recreation is legit. And if you're into skiing, this place is surprisingly good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Lakewood side vs the North side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Hope this helps!.
25 upvotes
denver_carson
I'm a writer and I've found it's exactly what I was looking for. The community is challenging and there's always something going on.
23 upvotes
Cooper
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want weather, then yeah this place is great. But if housing market matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
19 upvotes
Leah Wright
honestly same experience here
16 upvotes
austinheart2022
We moved here with our family and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Schools in East area are improving. Kids love it here.
13 upvotes
Jacob
I've lived in Highland for about 10 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I genuinely enjoy living here. When I first moved here from Charlotte, I was surprised by cost of living. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- The school system scene is average
The downsides:
- Winters are long and cold
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for remote workers. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
8 upvotes
Weston Long
We moved here with our family and it's not perfect but it works for me. Schools in Uptown area are better than expected. Kids love it here.
3 upvotes
Eli Nguyen
Used to live on the Lakewood side, now on the Fairview side. Completely different vibe. I have mixed feelings honestly.
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