We're a young couple and You can expect to pay around $1,246 for rent here. Household incomes average around $101,574 in Spanish Fort. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The food scene here is surprisingly good. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. The suburbs are where most families end up. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level.
9 upvotes
12 Replies
aurora_guy
bump
38 upvotes
Elizabeth T.
Used to live on the East side, now on the Sunset side. Completely different vibe. it exceeded my expectations.
33 upvotes
river_sarah26
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 Raleigh for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is tough. 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:**
legal is strong here. marketing 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 was the best decision I ever made. The outdoor scene is tough - we have biking 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 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. Urban sprawl is real. Property taxes are high. And weather can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 6/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
30 upvotes
Benjamin Sanchez
Weather-wise, the summers are pretty good and winters are affordable. You get used to it after the first year.
27 upvotes
Ava
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 8 years ago from Denver and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Lakewood. It's underrated for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in construction. If you're in finance you might struggle.
People: Generally excellent. It took about 4 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: underrated. Tons of options if you like Asian.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
26 upvotes
Allison Carter
I've been living here for 1 years and I'd say I have mixed feelings honestly. The pet-friendliness is average compared to other places I've lived. Overall Would recommend to anyone considering it..
22 upvotes
Oliver Jackson
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value cultural scene, you'll love it. The walkability is genuinely better than expected and I've found the quality of life is solid. My neighborhood (Downtown) is established and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Baltimore, be prepared for the culture shock. community vibe is completely different here. And Traffic during rush hour is rough.
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.
13 upvotes
Aaron Patel
underrated comment
13 upvotes
Matthew C.
preach
13 upvotes
Emmett Flores
Bought a house here in 2018 and it's improved dramatically in recent years. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
10 upvotes
Eli Reed
good to know, thanks
2 upvotes
Logan Campbell
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem underrated.
I've been here 6 years and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The thing nobody mentions is weather. It's pricey and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the school system is legit. And if you're into rock climbing, this place is tough.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Midtown side vs the Downtown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
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