Hey everyone, Household incomes average around $51,058 in Salisbury. Median household income is $51,058, which feels on the lower side for the area. You can expect to pay around $1,030 for rent here. The city has invested a lot in new development. The weather takes some getting used to. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The city has invested a lot in new development. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Property taxes are high but you get good services.
30 upvotes
13 Replies
Nicholas W.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Highland for 7 years. Moved from Raleigh for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is hit or miss. We bought in 2020 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
healthcare is strong here. real estate 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:**
it's not perfect but it works for me. The outdoor scene is solid - 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. Highland schools are pretty good. 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. Summers can be brutally hot. Not a lot of cultural diversity. And safety can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 5/10. Would recommend to anyone considering it.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
40 upvotes
Nicholas
I've lived in Westside for about 11 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. When I first moved here from Salt Lake City, I was surprised by walkability. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Strong sense of community
- The nightlife scene is tough
The downsides:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Property taxes are high
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for couples. Good luck with whatever you decide..
39 upvotes
Aubrey Phillips
wish I knew this sooner
37 upvotes
Aurora
seconding this
33 upvotes
houston_eli
thanks for sharing
32 upvotes
Natalie White
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem excellent.
I've been here 15 years and the quality of life is solid. The thing nobody mentions is community vibe. It's pricey and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the public transit is legit. And if you're into biking, this place is average.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Sunset side vs the Oak Park side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
28 upvotes
Brooklyn Jimenez
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a social worker who relocated here from Charlotte about 12 years ago. The main reasons were quality of life and a job opportunity.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Decent public transit for the size
- Diverse dining options
Cons that are real:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Far from beaches/mountains
Financially, we've found it excellent compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are manageable, gas is hit or miss.
Socially, I have mixed feelings honestly. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
25 upvotes
Skylar Brown
As someone who grew up here, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. A lot has changed in the past few years though. pet-friendliness used to be much established but now it's underrated.
24 upvotes
Silas C.
We moved here with our family and I'm still on the fence after all this time. Schools in Old Town area are surprisingly good. Kids love it here.
7 upvotes
Reagan King
I've lived in Pine Hills for about 3 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I love the pace of life here. When I first moved here from Minneapolis, I was surprised by cost of living. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Lots of new development happening
- Good internet infrastructure
- The school system scene is surprisingly good
The downsides:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Limited high-paying job options
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for young professionals. Happy to answer more specific questions..
7 upvotes
Ann K.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a chef, 40, moved here 7 years ago from Chicago. I've lived in Eastside and Uptown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Affordable housing options
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The nightlife situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Eastside: Great for singles. underrated 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 Chicago, everything felt hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $70K-$110K here.
**Final verdict:**
It's not for everyone but it works for us.. 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.
5 upvotes
Elijah J.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 5 years ago from San Diego and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in The Heights. It's pretty good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in consulting. If you're in education you might struggle.
People: Generally tough. It took about 9 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: better than expected. Tons of options if you like Thai.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
3 upvotes
tampamama2021
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 2-bedroom. it exceeded my expectations. Compared to Tampa it's surprisingly good.
All Countries
