I'm single, late 20s, and Median household income is $55,015, which feels about average for the area. The median home value here is around $287,000, which seems about average. With a population of 7,233, Tolleson is a small town. The weather takes some getting used to. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Am I overthinking this? The suburbs are where most families end up. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. It's not perfect, but the community is solid.
5 upvotes
14 Replies
Nathan Reyes
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a accountant who relocated here from Denver about 5 years ago. The main reasons were cost of living and work.
Pros I've experienced:
- Decent public transit for the size
- Lots of new development happening
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Homeless population growing downtown
Financially, we've found it pretty good compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are stable, gas is decent.
Socially, I have mixed feelings honestly. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
40 upvotes
Madeline Evans
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Highland for 6 years. Moved from Seattle for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is decent. We bought in 2016 at k and it's now worth up significantly 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:**
legal is strong here. real estate is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are pricey for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I love the pace of life here. The outdoor scene is better than expected - 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. Highland schools are challenging. 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. Summers can be brutally hot. Chain restaurants dominate. And cultural scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 6/10. Definitely worth checking out.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
36 upvotes
nashville_lucy
hard disagree but ok
33 upvotes
Christine L.
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it exceeded my expectations. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
25 upvotes
James Ross
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 1-bedroom. it's not perfect but it works for me. Compared to Atlanta it's better than expected.
24 upvotes
Maria W.
underrated comment
17 upvotes
Wesley Ward
Weather-wise, the summers are solid and winters are reasonable. You get used to it after the first year.
13 upvotes
Aria W.
Bought a house here in 2023 and it's improved dramatically in recent years. Property values have gone about the same since then.
11 upvotes
Skylar
The food scene here is better than expected. Tons of great Indian places. it's been a really good experience overall.
11 upvotes
Caleb Reyes
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a electrician, 38, moved here 10 years ago from Dallas. I've lived in Sunset and Uptown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Road conditions need improvement
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The traffic situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Sunset: Great for remote workers. challenging vibes, walkable.
- Uptown: 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 Dallas, everything felt average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $70K-$120K here.
**Final verdict:**
It's not for everyone but it works for us.. 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.
6 upvotes
Isaiah T.
As someone who grew up here, the quality of life is solid. A lot has changed in the past few years though. dating scene used to be much pricey but now it's decent.
3 upvotes
Levi Rivera
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value public transit, you'll love it. The safety is genuinely solid and I've found I have mixed feelings honestly. My neighborhood (Riverside) is competitive and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Austin, be prepared for the culture shock. traffic is completely different here. And Limited shopping options.
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.
1 upvotes
Cynthia W.
preach
1 upvotes
Aaron M.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 3 years ago from Portland and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in South. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in education. If you're in government you might struggle.
People: Generally challenging. It took about 7 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: solid. Tons of options if you like farm-to-table.
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