Not sure if this has been asked before, but I'm a college student here and The unemployment rate is 6.3%, which is concerning. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The city has invested a lot in new development.
15 upvotes
13 Replies
Waylon Thompson
Weather-wise, the summers are underrated and winters are wild. You get used to it after the first year.
37 upvotes
Aurora E.
preach
35 upvotes
Jayden Turner
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a software engineer, 41, moved here 2 years ago from Houston. I've lived in Riverside and Pine Hills, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good healthcare facilities
2. Active local events and festivals
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited shopping options
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The housing market situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Riverside: Great for remote workers. 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 Houston, everything felt challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $40K-$150K here.
**Final verdict:**
Hope this helps!. 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.
35 upvotes
Mateo Brooks
Hot take but I have mixed feelings honestly. I know a lot of people disagree but after 8 years here, that's my honest assessment.
35 upvotes
miami_emma
My experience has been mostly positive. I love the pace of life here. The only thing I'd watch out for is weather. Other than that, Feel free to reach out with questions..
34 upvotes
Weston Edwards
Moved here last year, no regrets.
30 upvotes
Logan C.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Meadowbrook for 12 years. Moved from Nashville for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is improving. We bought in 2015 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
finance is strong here. construction 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:**
the quality of life is solid. The outdoor scene is decent - we have beaches within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Meadowbrook 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. Road conditions need improvement. Limited shopping options. And housing market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 9/10. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
25 upvotes
Thomas B.
We moved here with our family and I love the pace of life here. Schools in Fairview area are surprisingly good. Kids love it here.
17 upvotes
Roman Kelly
I've lived in Highland for about 5 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's improved dramatically in recent years. When I first moved here from San Francisco, I was surprised by pet-friendliness. 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 job market scene is tough
The downsides:
- Limited entertainment options
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for young professionals. Hope this helps!.
16 upvotes
Lucy M.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a HR manager, 44, moved here 1 years ago from Raleigh. I've lived in Meadowbrook and Old Town, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Affordable housing options
2. Strong sense of community
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Not a lot of cultural diversity
3. The healthcare situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Meadowbrook: Great for remote workers. excellent vibes, walkable.
- Old Town: 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 Raleigh, everything felt decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $80K-$80K here.
**Final verdict:**
Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. 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
Everett
My experience has been mostly positive. I'm still on the fence after all this time. The only thing I'd watch out for is school system. Other than that, Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
4 upvotes
Luke Morris
+1
2 upvotes
Luna Anderson
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 10 years ago from Austin and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Eastside. It's challenging for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in construction. If you're in real estate you might struggle.
People: Generally solid. It took about 4 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: tough. Tons of options if you like craft beer.
All Countries
