Alright, We have two kids and Median household income is $55,034, which feels about average for the area. Crime rate is something to consider — Sunrise Manor sits at 776.7 per 100K. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Should I be concerned? TIA! It's not perfect, but the community is solid.
45 upvotes
28 Replies
Thomas Lee
Public transit is tough here. You'll probably need a car for most things. the quality of life is solid.
39 upvotes
eleanor_native
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Internet is better than expected in most areas.
38 upvotes
Adrian Nelson
I'm a pharmacist and I've found it exceeded my expectations. The community is better than expected and there's always something going on.
38 upvotes
Kinsley S.
Came here for retirement and stayed because the quality of life is solid. The job market is honestly better than expected and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
37 upvotes
Levi Watson
I've lived in Highland for about 13 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
the quality of life is solid. When I first moved here from Miami, I was surprised by pet-friendliness. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Decent public transit for the size
- Lots of new development happening
- The dating scene scene is better than expected
The downsides:
- Limited shopping options
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for singles. Definitely worth checking out..
35 upvotes
Kaylee G.
Bought a house here in 2024 and I have mixed feelings honestly. Property values have gone up significantly since then.
34 upvotes
Lydia J.
Moved here last year, no regrets.
32 upvotes
Jonathan
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are hit or miss, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
29 upvotes
Beverly M.
I've been living here for 6 years and I'd say it's exactly what I was looking for. The outdoor recreation is underrated compared to other places I've lived. Overall Definitely worth checking out..
29 upvotes
Jaxon Lewis
We moved here with our family and I genuinely enjoy living here. Schools in Old Town area are underrated. Kids love it here.
27 upvotes
Avery Cruz
not my experience at all
26 upvotes
Hannah
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Uptown for 9 years. Moved from San Francisco for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is underrated. We bought in 2023 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
marketing is strong here. marketing 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 wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The outdoor scene is excellent - 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. Uptown 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. Winters are long and cold. Property taxes are high. And cost of living can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 6/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
25 upvotes
Nathan Collins
+1
25 upvotes
Adeline C.
lol so true
22 upvotes
Eleanor P.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem better than expected.
I've been here 3 years and it's been a really good experience overall. The thing nobody mentions is cost of living. It's manageable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cultural scene is legit. And if you're into surfing, this place is pretty good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The West side vs the Meadowbrook side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
19 upvotes
Isabelle Walker
facts
15 upvotes
Autumn Parker
Hot take but it was the best decision I ever made. I know a lot of people disagree but after 9 years here, that's my honest assessment.
14 upvotes
Jameson Patel
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's exactly what I was looking for. Definitely worth checking out..
13 upvotes
Aaliyah H.
We moved here with our family and it's not perfect but it works for me. Schools in Old Town area are underrated. Kids love it here.
13 upvotes
Hazel Martinez
I've been living here for 14 years and I'd say it exceeded my expectations. The cost of living is solid compared to other places I've lived. Overall Happy to answer more specific questions..
10 upvotes
Bennett Lopez
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is food scene. it's exactly what I was looking for. Worth doing your research before committing.
7 upvotes
John Kim
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a teacher who relocated here from Pittsburgh about 15 years ago. The main reasons were a job opportunity and weather.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Good internet infrastructure
Cons that are real:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Chain restaurants dominate
Financially, we've found it improving compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are wild, gas is average.
Socially, I love the pace of life here. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
6 upvotes
ellie_chef
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a physical therapist, 33, moved here 13 years ago from Phoenix. I've lived in Maple Ridge and Meadowbrook, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Strong job market in several industries
2. Close to major attractions
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Road conditions need improvement
3. The cultural scene situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Maple Ridge: Great for young professionals. underrated vibes, walkable.
- Meadowbrook: 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 Phoenix, everything felt underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $40K-$120K here.
**Final verdict:**
Good luck with whatever you decide.. 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
Allison M.
hard disagree but ok
4 upvotes
Sophie Morris
great question, following
3 upvotes
Caleb C.
Bought a house here in 2024 and it's exactly what I was looking for. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
3 upvotes
Isabelle Reyes
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's improved dramatically in recent years. Good luck with whatever you decide..
0 upvotes
Elizabeth Robinson
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is dating scene. I love the pace of life here. Worth doing your research before committing.