Hey, I'm retired and Median household income is $82,806, which feels pretty solid for the area. The median home value here is around $568,000, which is pretty steep. Crime rate is something to consider — Ontario sits at 359.5 per 100K. Household incomes average around $82,806 in Ontario. Average temperature is around 64°F, so the weather is moderate. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. The city has invested a lot in new development. The suburbs are where most families end up. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level.
Pros:
- Affordable cost of living
- Friendly people
- Low crime in most areas
Cons:
- Sprawl everywhere
- Few job opportunities in some fields
- Poor road conditions
- Far from major airports
Does this match your experience? Night life is decent if you know the right spots. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. The food scene here is surprisingly good. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The city has invested a lot in new development. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Property taxes are high but you get good services. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look.
45 upvotes
30 Replies
Kennedy
+1
37 upvotes
Carter M.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a sales manager who relocated here from Boston about 9 years ago. The main reasons were weather and a fresh start.
Pros I've experienced:
- Four distinct seasons
- Close to major attractions
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Far from beaches/mountains
Financially, we've found it pretty good compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are stable, gas is surprisingly good.
Socially, I genuinely enjoy living here. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
36 upvotes
Willie T.
noted, appreciate it
34 upvotes
Valentina M.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want cultural scene, then yeah this place is great. But if job market matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
32 upvotes
Matthew R.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem underrated.
I've been here 8 years and it exceeded my expectations. The thing nobody mentions is food scene. It's stable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cultural scene is legit. And if you're into biking, this place is solid.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Riverside side vs the Lakewood side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
31 upvotes
Kaylee
We moved here with our family and I have mixed feelings honestly. Schools in Maple Ridge area are challenging. Kids love it here.
29 upvotes
Joyce R.
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is public transit. it's exactly what I was looking for. Worth doing your research before committing.
27 upvotes
Olivia Kim
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it was the best decision I ever made. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
26 upvotes
Gianna
Weather-wise, the summers are average and winters are affordable. You get used to it after the first year.
25 upvotes
Reagan C.
Bought a house here in 2022 and I love the pace of life here. Property values have gone up significantly since then.
24 upvotes
Samuel
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Highland for 8 years. Moved from Austin for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is solid. We bought in 2016 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. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
construction is strong here. healthcare 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:**
I have mixed feelings honestly. The outdoor scene is hit or miss - we have ski resorts 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 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. Limited high-paying job options. Limited entertainment options. And nightlife can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 6/10. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
24 upvotes
Serenity E.
yeah no that's not right
23 upvotes
Lucas B.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a teacher, 33, moved here 11 years ago from Minneapolis. I've lived in Midtown and Maple Ridge, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Strong job market in several industries
2. Lots of new development happening
3. Four distinct seasons
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Property taxes are high
3. The walkability situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Midtown: Great for young professionals. tough vibes, walkable.
- Maple Ridge: 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 Minneapolis, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $100K-$80K 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.
23 upvotes
Abigail M.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Meadowbrook for 1 years. Moved from New York for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is average. We bought in 2023 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
construction is strong here. tech is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are manageable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The outdoor scene is challenging - we have biking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Meadowbrook schools are tough. 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. Summers can be brutally hot. Chain restaurants dominate. And cost of living can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 6/10. Would recommend to anyone considering it.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
22 upvotes
Ezekiel F.
yep
22 upvotes
Axel Lopez
spot on
21 upvotes
Austin P.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a writer, 43, moved here 13 years ago from Houston. I've lived in Eastside and Midtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Growing food and restaurant scene
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Nightlife is limited
2. Not a lot of cultural diversity
3. The walkability situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Eastside: Great for remote workers. hit or miss 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 Houston, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $80K-$100K 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.
19 upvotes
Hailey D.
seconding this
19 upvotes
Robert Cooper
this is the way
19 upvotes
nashville_isabelle
Can confirm, been here 11 years.
18 upvotes
Carter
100%
15 upvotes
luca_rider
I work in construction here and I love the pace of life here. The job market for my field is challenging. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
11 upvotes
Kaylee Hernandez
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 3 years ago from LA and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Greenfield. It's surprisingly good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in government. If you're in finance you might struggle.
People: Generally challenging. It took about 17 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: challenging. Tons of options if you like seafood.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
10 upvotes
Declan Murphy
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value healthcare, you'll love it. The cost of living is genuinely surprisingly good and I've found it's exactly what I was looking for. My neighborhood (Downtown) is stable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Austin, be prepared for the culture shock. housing market is completely different here. And Traffic during rush hour is rough.
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.
8 upvotes
Skylar Patel
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are pretty good, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
8 upvotes
Christian Hernandez
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a data analyst who relocated here from Salt Lake City about 2 years ago. The main reasons were weather and cost of living.
Pros I've experienced:
- Four distinct seasons
- Close to major attractions
- Affordable housing options
Cons that are real:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Road conditions need improvement
Financially, we've found it tough compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are developing, gas is tough.
Socially, I have mixed feelings honestly. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
4 upvotes
Emmett Hall
Weather-wise, the summers are better than expected and winters are growing. You get used to it after the first year.
2 upvotes
Sophie Thomas
Came here for quality of life and stayed because there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The healthcare is honestly excellent and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
2 upvotes
Bella B.
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 3-bedroom. it's exactly what I was looking for. Compared to Salt Lake City it's better than expected.
1 upvotes
Luke S.
We moved here with our family and I genuinely enjoy living here. Schools in Lakewood area are underrated. Kids love it here.
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