My family moved here when I was a kid. Average temperature is around 65°F, so the weather is moderate. The median home value here is around $340,600, which seems about average. Household incomes average around $79,952 in Visalia. Poverty rate is 8.8%, which is pretty low. It's a a mid-size city city with about 143K people. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The suburbs are where most families end up. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Appreciate any input. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The suburbs are where most families end up. The food scene here is surprisingly good. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Property taxes are high but you get good services. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. It's changing fast — some good, some not so much.
19 upvotes
22 Replies
Adam Williams
We moved here with our family and it's not perfect but it works for me. Schools in Springfield area are average. Kids love it here.
40 upvotes
Jackson Nguyen
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a real estate agent, 49, moved here 14 years ago from Portland. I've lived in Fairview and Uptown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Nice parks and green spaces
2. Good airport with direct flights
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. Limited shopping options
3. The nightlife situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Fairview: Great for retirees. 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 Portland, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $40K-$80K 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.
38 upvotes
Lucas
Bought a house here in 2015 and I have mixed feelings honestly. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
38 upvotes
Landon D.
Saving this thread
34 upvotes
Jaxon Garcia
glad someone said it
33 upvotes
Parker Cox
We moved here with our family and I'm still on the fence after all this time. Schools in Midtown area are solid. Kids love it here.
32 upvotes
Sophia K.
My experience has been mostly positive. I have mixed feelings honestly. The only thing I'd watch out for is cultural scene. Other than that, Feel free to reach out with questions..
27 upvotes
kayden_native
Moved here last year, no regrets.
26 upvotes
Ethan Jones
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem solid.
I've been here 9 years and it's been a really good experience overall. The thing nobody mentions is healthcare. It's growing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the job market is legit. And if you're into kayaking, this place is surprisingly good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Meadowbrook side vs the North side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Hope this helps!.
26 upvotes
Leo Peterson
Bought a house here in 2023 and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
22 upvotes
wild_aaliyah4
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value healthcare, you'll love it. The healthcare is genuinely hit or miss and I've found it exceeded my expectations. My neighborhood (North) is reasonable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Dallas, be prepared for the culture shock. safety is completely different here. And Summers can be brutally hot.
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.
22 upvotes
Everett Ruiz
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value dating scene, you'll love it. The dating scene is genuinely better than expected and I've found I'm still on the fence after all this time. My neighborhood (Springfield) is growing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Houston, be prepared for the culture shock. public transit is completely different here. And Chain restaurants dominate.
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.
21 upvotes
Colton C.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Highland for 9 years. Moved from Tampa for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is underrated. We bought in 2017 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
healthcare is strong here. engineering is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are developing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's not perfect but it works for me. 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 surprisingly good. 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. Property taxes are high. Far from beaches/mountains. And community vibe can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 9/10. It's not for everyone but it works for us.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
17 upvotes
Jack G.
noted, appreciate it
16 upvotes
Nolan
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem solid.
I've been here 13 years and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The thing nobody mentions is weather. It's competitive and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the public transit is legit. And if you're into rock climbing, this place is hit or miss.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Uptown side vs the Eastside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
13 upvotes
Oliver Ramirez
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 2 years ago from San Diego and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Pine Hills. It's excellent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in construction. If you're in construction you might struggle.
People: Generally average. It took about 4 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: tough. Tons of options if you like BBQ.
No regrets on my end..
12 upvotes
wild_sophie42
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 4-bedroom. it was the best decision I ever made. Compared to New York it's tough.
12 upvotes
Jose
haha yep pretty much
9 upvotes
Mason
Hot take but I love the pace of life here. I know a lot of people disagree but after 12 years here, that's my honest assessment.
6 upvotes
Aiden Gray
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a nurse who relocated here from Baltimore about 3 years ago. The main reasons were quality of life and cost of living.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Good internet infrastructure
Cons that are real:
- Winters are long and cold
- Rising rent and home prices
Financially, we've found it solid compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are pricey, gas is pretty good.
Socially, it exceeded my expectations. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
5 upvotes
Hannah Patel
following this thread
3 upvotes
Mia Cox
Used to live on the South side, now on the Midtown side. Completely different vibe. it exceeded my expectations.
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