Hi all, My partner and I are Median household income is $85,755, which feels pretty solid for the area. The unemployment rate is 7.2%, which is concerning. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Am I overthinking this? There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The suburbs are where most families end up. The food scene here is surprisingly good. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. The city has invested a lot in new development. Night life is decent if you know the right spots.
13 upvotes
14 Replies
Roman Wood
Bought a house here in 2019 and it's not perfect but it works for me. Property values have gone up significantly since then.
37 upvotes
Jordan Mendoza
Public transit is better than expected here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now.
37 upvotes
Lucas
I've lived in Highland for about 8 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's improved dramatically in recent years. When I first moved here from Atlanta, I was surprised by food scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Lots of new development happening
- Active local events and festivals
- The nightlife scene is challenging
The downsides:
- Nightlife is limited
- Limited high-paying job options
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for couples. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
28 upvotes
Luca Watson
I've lived in Uptown for about 9 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's not perfect but it works for me. When I first moved here from Dallas, I was surprised by safety. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Good internet infrastructure
- The food scene scene is better than expected
The downsides:
- Limited high-paying job options
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for retirees. No regrets on my end..
23 upvotes
Kayden B.
I've lived in Greenfield for about 1 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I have mixed feelings honestly. When I first moved here from Salt Lake City, I was surprised by safety. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Close to major attractions
- The healthcare scene is decent
The downsides:
- Winters are long and cold
- Far from beaches/mountains
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for retirees. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
21 upvotes
Allison Patel
I've been living here for 13 years and I'd say it's exactly what I was looking for. The healthcare is underrated compared to other places I've lived. Overall Good luck with whatever you decide..
16 upvotes
wesley_life
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a nurse, 54, moved here 7 years ago from Denver. I've lived in Eastside and Midtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Not a lot of cultural diversity
3. The housing market situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Eastside: Great for young professionals. improving vibes, walkable.
- Midtown: 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 Denver, everything felt challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $100K-$80K here.
**Final verdict:**
No regrets on my end.. 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.
10 upvotes
Katherine Ortiz
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a social worker, 53, moved here 13 years ago from Houston. I've lived in The Heights and Lakewood, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Diverse dining options
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Can feel isolated
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The dating scene situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- The Heights: Great for young professionals. hit or miss vibes, walkable.
- Lakewood: 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 Houston, everything felt excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $60K-$130K 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.
9 upvotes
austin_david
I work in retail here and it's not perfect but it works for me. The job market for my field is solid. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
7 upvotes
sadie_dude
I've lived in Downtown for about 10 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I have mixed feelings honestly. When I first moved here from Baltimore, I was surprised by outdoor recreation. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Strong job market in several industries
- Good internet infrastructure
- The walkability scene is excellent
The downsides:
- Nightlife is limited
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for couples. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
5 upvotes
Eleanor Hernandez
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem average.
I've been here 3 years and it's exactly what I was looking for. The thing nobody mentions is walkability. It's established and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the walkability is legit. And if you're into camping, this place is underrated.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The South side vs the Highland side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Definitely worth checking out..
3 upvotes
Lily R.
big facts right here
2 upvotes
Gabriel Reyes
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value cost of living, you'll love it. The food scene is genuinely pretty good and I've found there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. My neighborhood (Riverside) is stable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Chicago, be prepared for the culture shock. traffic is completely different here. And Can feel isolated.
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.
2 upvotes
Kennedy Watson
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 13 years ago from Chicago and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Meadowbrook. It's pretty good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in engineering. If you're in education you might struggle.
People: Generally excellent. It took about 7 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: solid. Tons of options if you like Mexican.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
All Countries
