First post here. I relocated for work and It's a a mid-size city city with about 138K people. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Does this match your experience? Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that.
48 upvotes
13 Replies
Robert C.
I've lived in Highland for about 10 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's exactly what I was looking for. When I first moved here from Salt Lake City, I was surprised by housing market. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Close to major attractions
- The nightlife scene is average
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for remote workers. Good luck with whatever you decide..
36 upvotes
Lydia Sanchez
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Sunset for 5 years. Moved from New York for family. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is excellent. We bought in 2024 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
engineering is strong here. retail 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 exactly what I was looking for. The outdoor scene is hit or miss - we have lakes within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Sunset 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. Property taxes are high. Can feel isolated. And safety can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 6/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
35 upvotes
Maverick Lewis
Public transit is decent here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I love the pace of life here.
32 upvotes
true_evan13
As someone who grew up here, I'm still on the fence after all this time. A lot has changed in the past few years though. job market used to be much developing but now it's challenging.
31 upvotes
Wyatt Nguyen
Saving this thread
30 upvotes
Adrian Miller
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem solid.
I've been here 15 years and it's not perfect but it works for me. The thing nobody mentions is nightlife. It's affordable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the healthcare is legit. And if you're into kayaking, this place is solid.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The The Heights side vs the Eastside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
28 upvotes
Nathan Carter
big facts right here
25 upvotes
Anna Gutierrez
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Internet is decent in most areas.
14 upvotes
Theresa A.
good to know, thanks
13 upvotes
Judith J.
literally same
13 upvotes
Nathan Rodriguez
The food scene here is average. Tons of great Asian places. it's exactly what I was looking for.
12 upvotes
Kayden Murphy
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a social worker, 47, moved here 13 years ago from Houston. I've lived in Old Town and Sunset, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Low crime in most neighborhoods
3. Lots of new development happening
4. The people are generally solid - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not very walkable outside downtown
2. Can feel isolated
3. The cultural scene situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Old Town: Great for couples. challenging vibes, walkable.
- Sunset: 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 Houston, everything felt average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $60K-$90K 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.
10 upvotes
Katherine Jackson
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem decent.
I've been here 14 years and it exceeded my expectations. The thing nobody mentions is pet-friendliness. It's reasonable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the food scene is legit. And if you're into mountain biking, this place is average.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Westside side vs the Greenfield side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
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