Not sure if this has been asked before, but I grew up here but left for a while. Rent is about $1,484/month for a decent place. Homes are going for about $329,600 on average. The unemployment rate is 3.3%, which is pretty low. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Any advice would be great. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. I'd say it's better for families than young singles.
25 upvotes
24 Replies
Emma White
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it exceeded my expectations. Internet is challenging in most areas.
37 upvotes
Easton Allen
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 9 years ago from Tampa and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Greenfield. It's improving for what you get.
Jobs: The market is reasonable right now, especially in manufacturing. If you're in marketing you might struggle.
People: Generally tough. It took about 11 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: excellent. Tons of options if you like Korean.
No regrets on my end..
36 upvotes
Bennett Lopez
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Internet is solid in most areas.
35 upvotes
Grace King
As someone who grew up here, I have mixed feelings honestly. A lot has changed in the past few years though. school system used to be much affordable but now it's decent.
35 upvotes
Alexander Taylor
Hot take but I genuinely enjoy living here. I know a lot of people disagree but after 1 years here, that's my honest assessment.
34 upvotes
Allison Anderson
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are average, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
27 upvotes
Allison Young
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a chef who relocated here from Denver about 2 years ago. The main reasons were cost of living and family.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Decent public transit for the size
- Affordable housing options
Cons that are real:
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
- Far from beaches/mountains
Financially, we've found it challenging compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are manageable, gas is solid.
Socially, it's exactly what I was looking for. Feel free to reach out with questions..
26 upvotes
Valentina E.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in North for 5 years. Moved from Boston for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is solid. We bought in 2017 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. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
education is strong here. tech 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 solid - we have mountains within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. North 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. Limited high-paying job options. Not a lot of cultural diversity. And school system 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.
26 upvotes
Lucas R.
yep
25 upvotes
Addison Diaz
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 1-bedroom. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Compared to Boston it's hit or miss.
25 upvotes
Levi Foster
it depends on the neighborhood
23 upvotes
Evelyn Lee
Used to live on the Westside side, now on the South side. Completely different vibe. I love the pace of life here.
22 upvotes
vegas_cooper
thanks for sharing
22 upvotes
Sarah Williams
not my experience at all
22 upvotes
Genesis Hernandez
Moved here from Pittsburgh about 15 years ago. it exceeded my expectations. Still getting used to outdoor recreation but Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
20 upvotes
Axel Reyes
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 Minneapolis for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is average. We bought in 2024 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
real estate is strong here. education 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 exceeded my expectations. The outdoor scene is excellent - 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 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 pet-friendliness can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 5/10. It's not for everyone but it works for us.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
20 upvotes
Emily O.
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are better than expected, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
20 upvotes
Andrew
not my experience at all
17 upvotes
Zoey H.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a physical therapist who relocated here from Tampa about 5 years ago. The main reasons were cost of living and retirement.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good schools in most areas
- Lots of new development happening
- Active local events and festivals
Cons that are real:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Limited shopping options
Financially, we've found it excellent compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are stable, gas is solid.
Socially, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
13 upvotes
Benjamin Reyes
I've lived in Riverside for about 6 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's been a really good experience overall. When I first moved here from Salt Lake City, I was surprised by community vibe. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Nice parks and green spaces
- The pet-friendliness scene is decent
The downsides:
- Winters are long and cold
- Road conditions need improvement
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for retirees. Good luck with whatever you decide..
5 upvotes
John
I work in consulting here and it's exactly what I was looking for. The job market for my field is underrated. Definitely worth checking out..
4 upvotes
Ella Harris
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem pretty good.
I've been here 7 years and it's improved dramatically in recent years. The thing nobody mentions is healthcare. It's stable 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 better than expected.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Greenfield side vs the West side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Definitely worth checking out..
3 upvotes
Liam Turner
I've been living here for 4 years and I'd say I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The safety is improving compared to other places I've lived. Overall Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
2 upvotes
Nicholas Mendoza
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 9 years ago from Minneapolis and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Old Town. It's surprisingly good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in government. If you're in manufacturing you might struggle.
People: Generally decent. It took about 14 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: excellent. Tons of options if you like Southern.