Alright, My family moved here when I was a kid. It's a a small town city with about 7,265 people. Rent is about $2,351/month for a decent place. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. The suburbs are where most families end up. Am I overthinking this? The food scene here is surprisingly good. The food scene here is surprisingly good. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The suburbs are where most families end up. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable.
3 upvotes
15 Replies
Ella Edwards
good to know, thanks
39 upvotes
Henry P.
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 2-bedroom. I have mixed feelings honestly. Compared to Nashville it's surprisingly good.
35 upvotes
Xavier Robinson
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 4 years ago from Chicago and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in East. It's underrated for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in finance. If you're in retail you might struggle.
People: Generally better than expected. It took about 7 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: better than expected. Tons of options if you like craft beer.
No regrets on my end..
32 upvotes
Rylee W.
I work in education here and it's been a really good experience overall. The job market for my field is decent. Hope this helps!.
28 upvotes
Charlotte Mendoza
We moved here with our family and it's not perfect but it works for me. Schools in Oak Park area are excellent. Kids love it here.
23 upvotes
Jonathan Brown
Weather-wise, the summers are challenging and winters are stable. You get used to it after the first year.
22 upvotes
Kai Torres
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a sales manager who relocated here from Salt Lake City about 8 years ago. The main reasons were work and school.
Pros I've experienced:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Good healthcare facilities
- Good internet infrastructure
Cons that are real:
- Winters are long and cold
- Limited high-paying job options
Financially, we've found it decent compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are affordable, gas is surprisingly good.
Socially, it exceeded my expectations. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
18 upvotes
Amelia Lewis
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value food scene, you'll love it. The job market is genuinely average and I've found it's been a really good experience overall. My neighborhood (Downtown) is pricey and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Boston, be prepared for the culture shock. walkability is completely different here. And Limited public transit options.
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.
15 upvotes
Levi Williams
I've lived in Highland for about 4 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I love the pace of life here. When I first moved here from Seattle, I was surprised by housing market. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Good internet infrastructure
- The weather scene is hit or miss
The downsides:
- Nightlife is limited
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for families. Feel free to reach out with questions..
15 upvotes
happy_samuel70
glad someone said it
12 upvotes
Landon Chavez
I work in healthcare here and it was the best decision I ever made. The job market for my field is tough. Definitely worth checking out..
11 upvotes
Carter Kim
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 12 years ago from Salt Lake City and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in West. It's improving for what you get.
Jobs: The market is manageable right now, especially in manufacturing. If you're in manufacturing you might struggle.
People: Generally improving. It took about 10 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: underrated. Tons of options if you like Asian.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
3 upvotes
houston_elijah
As someone who grew up here, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. A lot has changed in the past few years though. public transit used to be much established but now it's improving.
2 upvotes
Isla Perez
Public transit is pretty good here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's exactly what I was looking for.
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