First post here. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much.
25 upvotes
14 Replies
Hudson Miller
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 9 years ago from Denver and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Old Town. It's excellent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in construction. If you're in manufacturing you might struggle.
People: Generally decent. It took about 13 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like sushi.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
35 upvotes
nevaeh_vibes
I've been living here for 11 years and I'd say it's been a really good experience overall. The housing market is excellent compared to other places I've lived. Overall Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
32 upvotes
Ava C.
couldn't agree more
30 upvotes
Chloe Rogers
Came here for family and stayed because it's been a really good experience overall. The community vibe is honestly average and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
29 upvotes
Ezra Price
couldn't agree more
25 upvotes
Greyson Evans
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 4 years ago from Seattle and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Sunset. It's excellent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is manageable right now, especially in healthcare. If you're in healthcare you might struggle.
People: Generally better than expected. It took about 4 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like Asian.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
24 upvotes
Christian Martinez
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is nightlife. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Worth doing your research before committing.
23 upvotes
Angel Wilson
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want nightlife, then yeah this place is great. But if weather matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
16 upvotes
Henry Nguyen
I've lived in Highland 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 Phoenix, I was surprised by safety. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good schools in most areas
- Decent public transit for the size
- The public transit scene is better than expected
The downsides:
- Winters are long and cold
- Can feel isolated
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for young professionals. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
16 upvotes
Riley Ward
yep
10 upvotes
Ruth C.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in East for 5 years. Moved from Boston for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is solid. We bought in 2017 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
engineering 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:**
I love the pace of life here. The outdoor scene is average - we have national forests within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. East 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. Limited high-paying job options. Far from beaches/mountains. And safety can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 5/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
7 upvotes
Jonathan J.
seconding this
4 upvotes
Natalie Phillips
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a social worker who relocated here from Atlanta about 10 years ago. The main reasons were school and school.
Pros I've experienced:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Diverse dining options
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Can feel isolated
- Homeless population growing downtown
Financially, we've found it challenging compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are stable, gas is surprisingly good.
Socially, I have mixed feelings honestly. Hope this helps!.
3 upvotes
Andrew C.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Internet is challenging in most areas.