So, I'm originally from Sacramento and The unemployment rate is 3.4%, which is pretty low. Average temperature is around 74--F, so it's warm year-round. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Would love some local perspective. Thanks for reading. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. The food scene here is surprisingly good. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods.
51 upvotes
24 Replies
Waylon
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Highland for 3 years. Moved from Salt Lake City for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is underrated. We bought in 2017 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
manufacturing is strong here. tech is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are affordable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I'm still on the fence after all this time. The outdoor scene is pretty good - we have lakes 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 better than expected. 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. Can feel isolated. Far from beaches/mountains. And pet-friendliness can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 9/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
40 upvotes
fresno_daniel
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a accountant who relocated here from Houston about 14 years ago. The main reasons were a job opportunity and quality of life.
Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Four distinct seasons
- Good airport with direct flights
Cons that are real:
- Limited entertainment options
- Far from beaches/mountains
Financially, we've found it tough compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are wild, gas is pretty good.
Socially, it was the best decision I ever made. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
38 upvotes
Benjamin Turner
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 11 years ago from Atlanta and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Uptown. It's tough for what you get.
Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in education. If you're in finance you might struggle.
People: Generally decent. It took about 3 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: excellent. Tons of options if you like Mediterranean.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
37 upvotes
kc_adam
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want school system, then yeah this place is great. But if food scene matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
37 upvotes
Olivia Johnson
couldn't agree more
35 upvotes
Jack Parker
same here
33 upvotes
Maya
following this thread
32 upvotes
Gabriella R.
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is traffic. I love the pace of life here. Worth doing your research before committing.
29 upvotes
Alexa Taylor
Can confirm, been here 2 years.
29 upvotes
Wesley
Bought a house here in 2023 and the quality of life is solid. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
29 upvotes
Ryan R.
yep
24 upvotes
Noah W.
yep
19 upvotes
Everly L.
Hot take but it's been a really good experience overall. I know a lot of people disagree but after 2 years here, that's my honest assessment.
18 upvotes
Zoey Wright
I've lived in Cedar Grove for about 1 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's exactly what I was looking for. When I first moved here from LA, I was surprised by outdoor recreation. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good healthcare facilities
- Affordable housing options
- The cost of living scene is solid
The downsides:
- Limited public transit options
- Winters are long and cold
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for young professionals. Definitely worth checking out..
16 upvotes
Eli Scott
The food scene here is decent. Tons of great Mexican places. it exceeded my expectations.
16 upvotes
Avery Peterson
Came here for a fresh start and stayed because there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The housing market is honestly surprisingly good and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
14 upvotes
Peyton B.
I've lived in Greenfield for about 8 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I love the pace of life here. When I first moved here from Boston, I was surprised by nightlife. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Good healthcare facilities
- The pet-friendliness scene is hit or miss
The downsides:
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
- Road conditions need improvement
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for couples. Good luck with whatever you decide..
14 upvotes
Samuel Chavez
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a writer, 25, moved here 4 years ago from Denver. I've lived in Highland and Oak Park, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Nightlife is limited
3. The safety situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Highland: Great for couples. challenging vibes, walkable.
- Oak Park: 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 Denver, everything felt underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $100K-$110K 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.
12 upvotes
Evan
As someone who grew up here, I'm still on the fence after all this time. A lot has changed in the past few years though. pet-friendliness used to be much reasonable but now it's decent.
11 upvotes
Katherine Sanchez
Moved here last year, no regrets.
9 upvotes
Adrian
good to know, thanks
9 upvotes
bennett_fan
hard disagree but ok
7 upvotes
Cora Torres
The food scene here is hit or miss. Tons of great Korean places. it exceeded my expectations.
3 upvotes
Ruby Reed
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in South for 15 years. Moved from Nashville for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is challenging. We bought in 2018 at k and it's now worth about the same 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:**
tech is strong here. marketing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are pricey for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I'm still on the fence after all this time. The outdoor scene is underrated - we have lakes within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. South 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. Rising rent and home prices. Not a lot of cultural diversity. And school system can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 6/10. Hope this helps!. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
All Countries
