Alright, My family moved here when I was a kid. Household incomes average around $93,223 in Village Green-Green Ridge. Crime rate is something to consider -Village Green-Green Ridge sits at 161.0 per 100K. Rent is about $1,249/month for a decent place. It's a a small town city with about 8,725 people. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. What do you all think? Property taxes are high but you get good services. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The weather takes some getting used to. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The suburbs are where most families end up. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus.
5 upvotes
13 Replies
Liam Cox
This.
40 upvotes
Jayden Gutierrez
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is community vibe. it's been a really good experience overall. Worth doing your research before committing.
39 upvotes
Olivia
Moved here from Tampa about 11 years ago. I genuinely enjoy living here. Still getting used to community vibe but No regrets on my end..
39 upvotes
Sarah Torres
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I genuinely enjoy living here. Internet is underrated in most areas.
34 upvotes
Lydia Kelly
Hot take but I'm still on the fence after all this time. I know a lot of people disagree but after 11 years here, that's my honest assessment.
34 upvotes
Genesis Morgan
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 Charlotte for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is tough. We bought in 2017 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
consulting is strong here. retail 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:**
it's been a really good experience overall. The outdoor scene is challenging - we have desert landscapes 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 hit or miss. 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. Rising rent and home prices. Nightlife is limited. And walkability can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 9/10. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
33 upvotes
Sofia Bennett
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 9 years ago from Portland and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Cedar Grove. It's excellent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in engineering. If you're in real estate you might struggle.
People: Generally decent. It took about 14 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: average. Tons of options if you like Korean.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
32 upvotes
Aaron C.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem solid.
I've been here 8 years and it's exactly what I was looking for. The thing nobody mentions is outdoor recreation. It's wild and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the dating scene is legit. And if you're into fishing, this place is solid.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Lakewood side vs the Oak Park side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Hope this helps!.
31 upvotes
Cynthia W.
same here
19 upvotes
Eva Ross
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a marketing manager who relocated here from Raleigh about 14 years ago. The main reasons were work and a job opportunity.
Pros I've experienced:
- Strong job market in several industries
- Good airport with direct flights
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Limited high-paying job options
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Financially, we've found it challenging compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are stable, gas is tough.
Socially, it's been a really good experience overall. Definitely worth checking out..
13 upvotes
Isla Foster
100%
6 upvotes
Leo King
bump
5 upvotes
Delilah Flores
I work in real estate here and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The job market for my field is excellent. No regrets on my end..
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