Alright, Crime rate is something to consider -Rainsville sits at 258.5 per 100K. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Thoughts? Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The weather takes some getting used to. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse.
13 upvotes
6 Replies
Elijah M.
spot on
29 upvotes
Evan Morris
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a social worker who relocated here from Charlotte about 9 years ago. The main reasons were school and weather.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Active local events and festivals
Cons that are real:
- Nightlife is limited
- Can feel isolated
Financially, we've found it better than expected compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are wild, gas is average.
Socially, I'm still on the fence after all this time. Hope this helps!.
23 upvotes
Axel Walker
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Highland for 13 years. Moved from Boston for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is better than expected. 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. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
education is strong here. government is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are wild for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's improved dramatically in recent years. The outdoor scene is improving - we have beaches 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 excellent. 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. Property taxes are high. Dating scene is rough. And school system can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 5/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
17 upvotes
Hailey
Came here for cost of living and stayed because the quality of life is solid. The weather is honestly better than expected and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
16 upvotes
Alexa R.
nah I disagree
14 upvotes
Brielle Murphy
I'm a lawyer and I've found I have mixed feelings honestly. The community is tough and there's always something going on.
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