I'm single, late 40s, and Homes are going for about $438,800 on average. Average temperature is around 63--F, so the weather is moderate. Property taxes are high but you get good services. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that.
7 upvotes
15 Replies
Luna J.
Bought a house here in 2017 and I love the pace of life here. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
38 upvotes
Angel Jimenez
Can confirm, been here 12 years.
33 upvotes
Benjamin Miller
I've lived in Highland for about 4 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 housing market. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Diverse dining options
- The dating scene scene is solid
The downsides:
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for singles. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
28 upvotes
Kai Lopez
preach
23 upvotes
Olivia R.
hmm interesting perspective
22 upvotes
Genesis Walker
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 4 years ago from Baltimore and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Oak Park. It's pretty good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in tech. If you're in hospitality you might struggle.
People: Generally improving. It took about 17 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: tough. Tons of options if you like Indian.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
21 upvotes
Aaliyah T.
Moved here last year, no regrets.
17 upvotes
Sophia Gonzalez
100%
16 upvotes
Adam W.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem better than expected.
I've been here 7 years and it's not perfect but it works for me. The thing nobody mentions is weather. It's wild and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the safety is legit. And if you're into photography, this place is underrated.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Meadowbrook side vs the West side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
13 upvotes
Grace Evans
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 2 years ago from Minneapolis and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in South. It's solid for what you get.
Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in manufacturing. If you're in engineering you might struggle.
People: Generally decent. It took about 10 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: tough. Tons of options if you like Mexican.
Definitely worth checking out..
10 upvotes
Jack S.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem decent.
I've been here 6 years and the quality of life is solid. The thing nobody mentions is cultural scene. It's competitive and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the job market is legit. And if you're into skiing, this place is improving.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Oak Park side vs the Meadowbrook side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Hope this helps!.
10 upvotes
Carter N.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value community vibe, you'll love it. The dating scene is genuinely average and I've found it's improved dramatically in recent years. My neighborhood (Highland) is reasonable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from San Diego, be prepared for the culture shock. community vibe is completely different here. And Urban sprawl is real.
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.
9 upvotes
Emma F.
Weather-wise, the summers are pretty good and winters are established. You get used to it after the first year.
7 upvotes
cool_angel92
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a real estate agent who relocated here from Miami about 6 years ago. The main reasons were my partner's job and work.
Pros I've experienced:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Good schools in most areas
- Close to major attractions
Cons that are real:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
Financially, we've found it challenging compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are affordable, gas is surprisingly good.
Socially, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Happy to answer more specific questions..
4 upvotes
Aubrey
I work in finance here and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The job market for my field is surprisingly good. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
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