I've been here for 13 years and Average temperature is around 63--F, so the weather is moderate. Property taxes are high but you get good services. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Anyone in a similar situation?
29 upvotes
12 Replies
Natalie R.
Bought a house here in 2019 and it exceeded my expectations. Property values have gone about the same since then.
40 upvotes
Vivian Wood
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 11 years ago from Baltimore 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 Uptown. It's better than expected for what you get.
Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in engineering. If you're in construction you might struggle.
People: Generally better than expected. It took about 12 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like BBQ.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
37 upvotes
Autumn Ortiz
I'm a contractor and I've found I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The community is hit or miss and there's always something going on.
29 upvotes
Kathryn T.
great question, following
28 upvotes
Mateo T.
+1
23 upvotes
Joseph Baker
I've lived in Highland for about 15 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. When I first moved here from Nashville, I was surprised by outdoor recreation. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Good healthcare facilities
- The community vibe scene is hit or miss
The downsides:
- Chain restaurants dominate
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for couples. Good luck with whatever you decide..
18 upvotes
Genesis Walker
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a teacher who relocated here from Minneapolis about 10 years ago. The main reasons were cost of living and my partner's job.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Four distinct seasons
Cons that are real:
- Chain restaurants dominate
- Limited shopping options
Financially, we've found it improving compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are stable, gas is improving.
Socially, it's exactly what I was looking for. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
15 upvotes
Riley W.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want cost of living, then yeah this place is great. But if safety matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
12 upvotes
Naomi Nguyen
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a contractor, 24, moved here 4 years ago from Nashville. I've lived in Springfield and South, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Good internet infrastructure
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. Not very walkable outside downtown
2. Not a lot of cultural diversity
3. The food scene situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Springfield: Great for couples. excellent vibes, walkable.
- South: 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 Nashville, everything felt excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $90K-$80K here.
**Final verdict:**
Feel free to reach out with 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.
9 upvotes
Asher Edwards
The food scene here is challenging. Tons of great Thai places. I'm still on the fence after all this time.
7 upvotes
Carson Torres
The food scene here is improving. Tons of great Mediterranean places. it's exactly what I was looking for.
5 upvotes
Maverick Baker
I'm a software engineer and I've found I love the pace of life here. The community is decent and there's always something going on.
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