OK so I'm a remote worker and Poverty rate is 4.5%, which is pretty low. With a population of 46,026, Urbandale is a smaller city. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Has anyone dealt with this? Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Property taxes are high but you get good services. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. The city has invested a lot in new development.
1 upvotes
29 Replies
Amanda W.
I'm a pharmacist and I've found it's been a really good experience overall. The community is improving and there's always something going on.
40 upvotes
Ruby Peterson
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 5 years ago from Phoenix and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in East. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in healthcare. If you're in healthcare you might struggle.
People: Generally underrated. It took about 15 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: underrated. Tons of options if you like Vietnamese.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
39 upvotes
Henry G.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in South for 6 years. Moved from Portland for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is pretty good. We bought in 2018 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. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
real estate is strong here. manufacturing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are competitive for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
the quality of life is solid. The outdoor scene is hit or miss - we have rivers within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. South schools are improving. 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. Road conditions need improvement. Bugs and humidity in summer. And safety can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 9/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
39 upvotes
Daniel S.
hmm interesting perspective
36 upvotes
Isaac Allen
nah I disagree
34 upvotes
Chloe
Came here for school and stayed because the quality of life is solid. The community vibe is honestly underrated and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
34 upvotes
Lydia Walker
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are tough, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
33 upvotes
Thomas T.
literally same
31 upvotes
jax_greyson
I work in retail here and it was the best decision I ever made. The job market for my field is challenging. Happy to answer more specific questions..
29 upvotes
Kennedy Cruz
nah I disagree
29 upvotes
Easton G.
Weather-wise, the summers are better than expected and winters are affordable. You get used to it after the first year.
26 upvotes
Savannah Morris
I'm a teacher and I've found I genuinely enjoy living here. The community is solid and there's always something going on.
26 upvotes
Daniel Howard
Hot take but I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. I know a lot of people disagree but after 5 years here, that's my honest assessment.
25 upvotes
Sofia Thomas
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it exceeded my expectations. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
25 upvotes
Easton Taylor
interesting, hadn't considered that
25 upvotes
Roman Mitchell
Public transit is decent here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I love the pace of life here.
24 upvotes
David Ruiz
hmm interesting perspective
24 upvotes
Gianna W.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a chef, 37, moved here 10 years ago from Denver. I've lived in Lakewood and Downtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Active local events and festivals
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not a lot of cultural diversity
2. Dating scene is rough
3. The weather situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Lakewood: Great for young professionals. hit or miss vibes, walkable.
- Downtown: 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 Denver, everything felt average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $70K-$150K 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.
21 upvotes
Isaiah Davis
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are pretty good, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
21 upvotes
Jayden C.
following this thread
20 upvotes
Eli Jimenez
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want outdoor recreation, then yeah this place is great. But if safety matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
20 upvotes
Gabriella Bailey
Hot take but it's exactly what I was looking for. I know a lot of people disagree but after 8 years here, that's my honest assessment.
15 upvotes
Parker S.
I work in construction here and it was the best decision I ever made. The job market for my field is better than expected. Definitely worth checking out..
15 upvotes
Joshua P.
As someone who grew up here, it was the best decision I ever made. A lot has changed in the past few years though. community vibe used to be much affordable but now it's underrated.
8 upvotes
Aiden Myers
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Highland for 12 years. Moved from Boston for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is decent. We bought in 2020 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. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
retail is strong here. healthcare is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are stable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it was the best decision I ever made. The outdoor scene is challenging - we have rivers 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 excellent. 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. Nightlife is limited. Homeless population growing downtown. And cultural scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 5/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
8 upvotes
Christine R.
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 4-bedroom. I love the pace of life here. Compared to Houston it's underrated.
8 upvotes
Dominic Clark
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a project manager, 52, moved here 6 years ago from Raleigh. I've lived in Cedar Grove and East, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Affordable housing options
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Property taxes are high
3. The community vibe situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Cedar Grove: Great for couples. pretty good vibes, walkable.
- East: 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 Raleigh, everything felt better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $90K-$100K here.
**Final verdict:**
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. 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
Elijah Torres
Public transit is pretty good here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I have mixed feelings honestly.
All Countries
