Hey folks, Median household income is $77,643, which feels about average for the area. The unemployment rate is 4.0%, which is pretty low. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The suburbs are where most families end up. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Let me know your thoughts. Looking forward to hearing from you all. It's changing fast — some good, some not so much. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. The weather takes some getting used to. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years.
46 upvotes
29 Replies
Valentina Morris
Saving this thread
40 upvotes
Aurora Wood
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value public transit, you'll love it. The nightlife is genuinely solid and I've found there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. My neighborhood (Midtown) is affordable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Dallas, be prepared for the culture shock. walkability 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.
39 upvotes
Isaiah Morris
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem hit or miss.
I've been here 2 years and I have mixed feelings honestly. The thing nobody mentions is job market. It's growing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the traffic is legit. And if you're into mountain biking, this place is better than expected.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Old Town side vs the East side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
38 upvotes
Caleb
Weather-wise, the summers are surprisingly good and winters are wild. You get used to it after the first year.
37 upvotes
Bennett Watson
lol so true
37 upvotes
Lily R.
spot on
36 upvotes
Elena Bennett
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.
31 upvotes
Carolyn M.
Weather-wise, the summers are tough and winters are affordable. You get used to it after the first year.
30 upvotes
Emily Rodriguez
thanks for sharing
29 upvotes
coastal_silas89
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Highland for 10 years. Moved from San Francisco for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is better than expected. We bought in 2019 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
retail is strong here. consulting is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are manageable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
the quality of life is solid. 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. Highland schools are underrated. 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 shopping options. Bugs and humidity in summer. And walkability can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 5/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
27 upvotes
Nora Morgan
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I'm still on the fence after all this time. Happy to answer more specific questions..
26 upvotes
Skylar
We moved here with our family and it's been a really good experience overall. Schools in Cedar Grove area are improving. Kids love it here.
26 upvotes
Ethan Wood
I've lived in The Heights for about 9 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
the quality of life is solid. When I first moved here from Baltimore, I was surprised by dating scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good healthcare facilities
- Lots of new development happening
- The public transit scene is improving
The downsides:
- Road conditions need improvement
- Dating scene is rough
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for remote workers. Good luck with whatever you decide..
25 upvotes
wyatt_life
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's not perfect but it works for me. Internet is pretty good in most areas.
25 upvotes
Brooks Anderson
good to know, thanks
24 upvotes
river_isaiah80
wish I knew this sooner
24 upvotes
raleighfan2023
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are surprisingly good, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
24 upvotes
Owen J.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 9 years ago from Baltimore and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Old Town. It's better than expected for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in finance. If you're in engineering you might struggle.
People: Generally tough. It took about 17 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: excellent. Tons of options if you like Indian.
No regrets on my end..
24 upvotes
Catherine E.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a social worker, 53, moved here 4 years ago from Phoenix. I've lived in Meadowbrook and Old Town, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Four distinct seasons
4. The people are generally hit or miss - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The school system situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Meadowbrook: Great for retirees. better than expected 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 Phoenix, everything felt solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $90K-$120K here.
**Final verdict:**
Happy to answer more specific questions.. 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.
21 upvotes
Michael Morris
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a nurse who relocated here from LA about 4 years ago. The main reasons were school and school.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Strong job market in several industries
- Diverse dining options
Cons that are real:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Can feel isolated
Financially, we've found it excellent compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are developing, gas is excellent.
Socially, I'm still on the fence after all this time. Feel free to reach out with questions..
20 upvotes
Cameron King
We moved here with our family and I have mixed feelings honestly. Schools in East area are better than expected. Kids love it here.
17 upvotes
Ella Cook
it depends on the neighborhood
15 upvotes
Eliana Green
glad someone said it
13 upvotes
Parker J.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem better than expected.
I've been here 9 years and it's exactly what I was looking for. The thing nobody mentions is cultural scene. It's stable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the traffic is legit. And if you're into skiing, this place is excellent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Uptown side vs the Downtown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
10 upvotes
Katherine M.
Used to live on the Old Town side, now on the North side. Completely different vibe. it's been a really good experience overall.
8 upvotes
Stella R.
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I genuinely enjoy living here. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
7 upvotes
Cooper R.
seconding this
7 upvotes
Jose
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 12 years ago from San Francisco and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Downtown. It's challenging for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in education. If you're in finance you might struggle.
People: Generally average. It took about 6 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: solid. Tons of options if you like sushi.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
5 upvotes
Benjamin M.
As someone who grew up here, I genuinely enjoy living here. A lot has changed in the past few years though. community vibe used to be much wild but now it's surprisingly good.
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