Raising a family in Royal City -thoughts?

Jeffrey R. Mar 24, 2026

lol so true

21 upvotes

Scarlett R. Mar 8, 2026

Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.

I've been in Pine Hills for 3 years. Moved from Chicago for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:

**Housing:**
The market right now is average. We bought in 2023 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:**
real estate is strong here. tech 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:**
it exceeded my expectations. The outdoor scene is pretty good - 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. Pine Hills 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. Traffic during rush hour is rough. Property taxes are high. And pet-friendliness can be frustrating.

**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 6/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.

7 upvotes

Emmett E. Mar 17, 2026

Bought a house here in 2017 and I'm still on the fence after all this time. Property values have gone up a bit since then.

5 upvotes