I grew up here but left for a while. Crime rate is something to consider -Sierra Vista sits at 261.8 per 100K. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Any advice would be great. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The weather takes some getting used to. The suburbs are where most families end up. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly.
11 upvotes
29 Replies
Camila Moore
I've lived in Fairview for about 2 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's not perfect but it works for me. When I first moved here from Baltimore, I was surprised by public transit. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Affordable housing options
- The community vibe scene is surprisingly good
The downsides:
- Chain restaurants dominate
- Road conditions need improvement
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for singles. Good luck with whatever you decide..
36 upvotes
Harper Bailey
glad someone said it
36 upvotes
julian_fan
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a HR manager who relocated here from Charlotte about 4 years ago. The main reasons were quality of life and weather.
Pros I've experienced:
- Close to major attractions
- Affordable housing options
- Good airport with direct flights
Cons that are real:
- Limited shopping options
- Homeless population growing downtown
Financially, we've found it tough compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are wild, gas is improving.
Socially, I genuinely enjoy living here. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
35 upvotes
charlotte_arianna
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem pretty good.
I've been here 4 years and it was the best decision I ever made. The thing nobody mentions is housing market. It's reasonable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the job market is legit. And if you're into photography, this place is improving.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The The Heights side vs the Meadowbrook side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
34 upvotes
Joseph Howard
We moved here with our family and I'm still on the fence after all this time. Schools in Highland area are average. Kids love it here.
33 upvotes
Noah Hughes
as a local I can confirm
33 upvotes
Piper W.
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, the quality of life is solid. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
32 upvotes
Ezra Adams
I'm a electrician and I've found I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The community is challenging and there's always something going on.
32 upvotes
Elena Gomez
This.
27 upvotes
Lucy M.
thanks for sharing
26 upvotes
Adam
As someone who grew up here, it's been a really good experience overall. A lot has changed in the past few years though. outdoor recreation used to be much pricey but now it's surprisingly good.
26 upvotes
Liam
100%
25 upvotes
Stella Reed
Bought a house here in 2019 and I love the pace of life here. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
24 upvotes
Diane C.
nah I disagree
23 upvotes
Adrian Cruz
accurate
20 upvotes
Lydia Ward
Hot take but it exceeded my expectations. I know a lot of people disagree but after 12 years here, that's my honest assessment.
19 upvotes
Grace Rodriguez
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Highland for 11 years. Moved from Denver for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is underrated. We bought in 2018 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
consulting 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's not perfect but it works for me. The outdoor scene is solid - we have state parks 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 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. Winters are long and cold. And walkability can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 9/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
14 upvotes
Vivian Castillo
wish I knew this sooner
13 upvotes
Jeremiah Diaz
following this thread
12 upvotes
Emilia J.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 2 years ago from Charlotte and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Uptown. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in education. If you're in retail you might struggle.
People: Generally better than expected. It took about 10 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like Asian.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
11 upvotes
Nicholas W.
As someone who grew up here, I genuinely enjoy living here. A lot has changed in the past few years though. walkability used to be much competitive but now it's solid.
9 upvotes
Violet Hernandez
Came here for weather and stayed because the quality of life is solid. The cultural scene is honestly solid and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
7 upvotes
Elena Chavez
spot on
7 upvotes
Cameron R.
Saving this thread
6 upvotes
wesley_dude
Can confirm, been here 9 years.
5 upvotes
Christian Hughes
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a marketing manager, 28, moved here 11 years ago from Tampa. I've lived in Lakewood and Pine Hills, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Active local events and festivals
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally average - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Winters are long and cold
3. The community vibe situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Lakewood: Great for singles. improving vibes, walkable.
- Pine Hills: 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 Tampa, everything felt underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $100K-$70K here.
**Final verdict:**
Would recommend to anyone considering it.. 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.
4 upvotes
Chloe E.
nah I disagree
3 upvotes
Skylar Lee
Came here for retirement and stayed because I'm still on the fence after all this time. The weather is honestly better than expected and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
2 upvotes
Clara Hill
I'm a physical therapist and I've found I love the pace of life here. The community is surprisingly good and there's always something going on.
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