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Gabriella Wright housing

Cost of living reality check -North Highlands

Random thought, The median home value here is around $344,900, which seems about average. Household incomes average around $65,090 in North Highlands. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The food scene here is surprisingly good. What would you do? The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse.
10 upvotes

7 Replies

Ruth C.
Came here for a job opportunity and stayed because there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The walkability is honestly average and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
38 upvotes
Carol A.
Moved here from Charlotte about 8 years ago. I have mixed feelings honestly. Still getting used to cultural scene but Would recommend to anyone considering it..
37 upvotes
Genesis
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 4-bedroom. I genuinely enjoy living here. Compared to Seattle it's better than expected.
33 upvotes
Colton Jimenez
The food scene here is improving. Tons of great Vietnamese places. I have mixed feelings honestly.
31 upvotes
Lydia Morgan
lol so true
19 upvotes
Emily Kelly
I've lived in West for about 15 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.

it exceeded my expectations. When I first moved here from Portland, I was surprised by healthcare. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.

A few things worth knowing:
- Decent public transit for the size
- Strong job market in several industries
- The walkability scene is surprisingly good

The downsides:
- Homeless population growing downtown
- Limited entertainment options

Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for singles. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
13 upvotes
Shirley B.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.

Background: I'm a software engineer, 48, moved here 10 years ago from Seattle. I've lived in Midtown and Downtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.

**What I love:**
1. Strong job market in several industries
2. Good airport with direct flights
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year

**What I don't love:**
1. Can feel isolated
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The traffic situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving

**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Midtown: Great for remote workers. surprisingly good vibes, walkable.
- Downtown: 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 Seattle, everything felt tough. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $90K-$120K here.

**Final verdict:**
Feel free to reach out with 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.
3 upvotes
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