Hey folks, I'm single, late 40s, and Rent is about $1,783/month for a decent place. Crime rate is something to consider — Urban Honolulu sits at 232.1 per 100K. Household incomes average around $85,428 in Urban Honolulu. The median home value here is around $834,100, which is pretty steep. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Any help is appreciated. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The food scene here is surprisingly good.
23 upvotes
36 Replies
Riley Wright
it depends on the neighborhood
39 upvotes
Ann R.
Weather-wise, the summers are hit or miss and winters are pricey. You get used to it after the first year.
39 upvotes
Aria Reed
haha yep pretty much
39 upvotes
lake_olivia41
bump
35 upvotes
Ruby Campbell
The food scene here is excellent. Tons of great seafood places. the quality of life is solid.
35 upvotes
Mackenzie Cooper
Can confirm, been here 3 years.
34 upvotes
Nolan S.
Saving this thread
34 upvotes
Emily Turner
yep
33 upvotes
Bennett Mendoza
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value outdoor recreation, you'll love it. The dating scene is genuinely hit or miss and I've found I genuinely enjoy living here. My neighborhood (Springfield) is reasonable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Dallas, be prepared for the culture shock. healthcare is completely different here. And Rising rent and home prices.
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.
31 upvotes
Piper Lopez
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Highland for 14 years. Moved from Minneapolis for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is better than expected. We bought in 2024 at k and it's now worth up significantly 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:**
engineering is strong here. education is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are affordable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's improved dramatically in recent years. The outdoor scene is average - 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 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. Not very walkable outside downtown. Chain restaurants dominate. And job market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 5/10. Would recommend to anyone considering it.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
29 upvotes
Owen Scott
following this thread
29 upvotes
John Cook
Bought a house here in 2020 and I genuinely enjoy living here. Property values have gone up significantly since then.
28 upvotes
Stella Castillo
lol so true
27 upvotes
Levi R.
Bought a house here in 2016 and it exceeded my expectations. Property values have gone about the same since then.
27 upvotes
Eleanor L.
couldn't agree more
27 upvotes
Olivia O.
nah I disagree
26 upvotes
Joseph Price
The food scene here is challenging. Tons of great Italian places. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now.
26 upvotes
Brandon R.
great question, following
26 upvotes
Eric R.
yep
25 upvotes
Aiden W.
Weather-wise, the summers are underrated and winters are manageable. You get used to it after the first year.
24 upvotes
Scarlett T.
it depends on the neighborhood
24 upvotes
Ethan
not my experience at all
19 upvotes
Xavier Gutierrez
yep
14 upvotes
born_amelia54
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I have mixed feelings honestly. Internet is hit or miss in most areas.
13 upvotes
Mackenzie Castillo
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's improved dramatically in recent years. Internet is pretty good in most areas.
13 upvotes
Asher R.
Moved here from Phoenix about 8 years ago. it was the best decision I ever made. Still getting used to dating scene but Happy to answer more specific questions..
12 upvotes
Jose Wilson
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value pet-friendliness, you'll love it. The housing market is genuinely average and I've found I genuinely enjoy living here. My neighborhood (Highland) is growing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Dallas, be prepared for the culture shock. healthcare is completely different here. And Property taxes are high.
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.
12 upvotes
raised_brooks63
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a physical therapist, 48, moved here 6 years ago from Phoenix. I've lived in Westside and Meadowbrook, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Great outdoor activities nearby
3. Friendly community, easy to meet people
4. The people are generally solid - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Chain restaurants dominate
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The cultural scene situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Westside: Great for couples. hit or miss 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 excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $50K-$130K here.
**Final verdict:**
Hope this helps!. 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.
11 upvotes
Ezekiel A.
Totally agree!
10 upvotes
Robert
I've lived in Oak Park for about 8 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's not perfect but it works for me. When I first moved here from Boston, I was surprised by food scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Nice parks and green spaces
- The cost of living scene is decent
The downsides:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for singles. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
6 upvotes
Ruby L.
good to know, thanks
5 upvotes
Noah H.
I've lived in Highland for about 14 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's not perfect but it works for me. When I first moved here from Miami, I was surprised by job market. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Good schools in most areas
- The food scene scene is challenging
The downsides:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Nightlife is limited
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for families. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
3 upvotes
William Cruz
I work in manufacturing here and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The job market for my field is underrated. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
2 upvotes
Jaxon Cooper
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a real estate agent, 46, moved here 11 years ago from Nashville. I've lived in Fairview and Maple Ridge, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Four distinct seasons
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Chain restaurants dominate
3. The dating scene situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Fairview: Great for young professionals. better than expected vibes, walkable.
- Maple Ridge: 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 developing. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $40K-$70K here.
**Final verdict:**
Definitely worth checking out.. 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.
1 upvotes
Silas Stewart
hard disagree but ok
0 upvotes
native_riley54
As someone who grew up here, I genuinely enjoy living here. A lot has changed in the past few years though. weather used to be much pricey but now it's underrated.
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