OK so You can expect to pay around $1,323 for rent here. It's a a mid-size city city with about 177K people. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The suburbs are where most families end up. The suburbs are where most families end up. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Property taxes are high but you get good services. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. The weather takes some getting used to.
48 upvotes
25 Replies
Alice Adams
lol so true
39 upvotes
Adrian
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Westside for 9 years. Moved from Denver for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is better than expected. We bought in 2021 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
real estate is strong here. healthcare 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:**
I'm still on the fence after all this time. The outdoor scene is underrated - we have hiking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Westside schools are decent. 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. Limited entertainment options. Bugs and humidity in summer. And food scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 6/10. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
37 upvotes
sunny_allison38
following this thread
30 upvotes
minneapolis_robert
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it was the best decision I ever made. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
24 upvotes
Aurora Robinson
Moved here from Nashville about 14 years ago. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Still getting used to job market but It's not for everyone but it works for us..
24 upvotes
Declan W.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem average.
I've been here 14 years and the quality of life is solid. The thing nobody mentions is cost of living. It's reasonable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the food scene is legit. And if you're into photography, this place is solid.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Greenfield side vs the Uptown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Definitely worth checking out..
22 upvotes
Madeline Kim
hard disagree but ok
19 upvotes
Hailey Ortiz
Used to live on the Uptown side, now on the Westside side. Completely different vibe. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now.
16 upvotes
Evelyn R.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a electrician, 46, moved here 12 years ago from San Francisco. I've lived in Cedar Grove and Uptown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Active local events and festivals
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. Not very walkable outside downtown
3. The dating scene situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Cedar Grove: Great for retirees. challenging vibes, walkable.
- Uptown: 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 San Francisco, everything felt better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $50K-$140K here.
**Final verdict:**
Happy to answer more specific questions.. 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.
15 upvotes
Greyson Thompson
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a project manager who relocated here from LA about 14 years ago. The main reasons were quality of life and cost of living.
Pros I've experienced:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Close to major attractions
Cons that are real:
- Limited high-paying job options
- Dating scene is rough
Financially, we've found it solid compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are wild, gas is improving.
Socially, it exceeded my expectations. Good luck with whatever you decide..
13 upvotes
Santiago Rodriguez
Hot take but I genuinely enjoy living here. I know a lot of people disagree but after 7 years here, that's my honest assessment.
12 upvotes
nashville_ella
good to know, thanks
10 upvotes
Bruce L.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a electrician who relocated here from Phoenix about 4 years ago. The main reasons were work and a job opportunity.
Pros I've experienced:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Good internet infrastructure
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Summers can be brutally hot
Financially, we've found it average compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are manageable, gas is hit or miss.
Socially, the quality of life is solid. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
10 upvotes
Silas Cruz
Totally agree!
10 upvotes
Aaliyah Johnson
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 1-bedroom. it's not perfect but it works for me. Compared to Boston it's hit or miss.
7 upvotes
Leah Edwards
Bought a house here in 2023 and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
7 upvotes
Sofia
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want safety, then yeah this place is great. But if public transit matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
6 upvotes
John Wilson
Used to live on the Meadowbrook side, now on the Uptown side. Completely different vibe. it's improved dramatically in recent years.
5 upvotes
Victoria Hill
My experience has been mostly positive. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The only thing I'd watch out for is healthcare. Other than that, Happy to answer more specific questions..
3 upvotes
Hailey Cox
Used to live on the South side, now on the Maple Ridge side. Completely different vibe. I genuinely enjoy living here.
3 upvotes
Leo J.
as a local I can confirm
3 upvotes
Peyton Brooks
I've lived in Sunset for about 2 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 Dallas, I was surprised by school system. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Good schools in most areas
- The community vibe scene is pretty good
The downsides:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Property taxes are high
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for retirees. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
2 upvotes
Ezekiel Nelson
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Highland for 1 years. Moved from Atlanta for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is hit or miss. We bought in 2018 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
legal is strong here. engineering is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are reasonable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I have mixed feelings honestly. The outdoor scene is excellent - we have rivers 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 average. 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. Homeless population growing downtown. Limited entertainment options. And pet-friendliness can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 6/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
2 upvotes
Walter M.
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's not perfect but it works for me. No regrets on my end..
1 upvotes
Mateo Adams
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 3-bedroom. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Compared to Charlotte it's decent.
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