Alright, I'm a 30-year-old accountant and With a population of 672K, Washington is a major city. Household incomes average around $106,287 in Washington. The median home value here is around $724,600, which is pretty steep. Rent is about $1,900/month for a decent place. Homes are going for about $724,600 on average. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly.
Pros:
- Growing food scene
- Good schools
- Low taxes
Cons:
- Cold winters
- Sprawl everywhere
- Limited dining options
Has anyone dealt with this? Cheers. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. It's changing fast — some good, some not so much. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The weather takes some getting used to. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable.
60 upvotes
29 Replies
Maya R.
this is the way
39 upvotes
Leonardo Morgan
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem better than expected.
I've been here 8 years and it's exactly what I was looking for. The thing nobody mentions is cost of living. It's developing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the safety is legit. And if you're into mountain biking, this place is solid.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The West 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..
35 upvotes
eva_mind
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Westside for 9 years. Moved from San Diego for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is excellent. We bought in 2019 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
retail is strong here. finance is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are wild for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I genuinely enjoy living here. The outdoor scene is tough - we have ski resorts within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Westside 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. Winters are long and cold. Rising rent and home prices. And outdoor recreation can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, 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.
33 upvotes
Madeline Hernandez
hard disagree but ok
33 upvotes
Gabriel Cox
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 10 years ago from Miami and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Fairview. It's better than expected for what you get.
Jobs: The market is reasonable right now, especially in engineering. If you're in consulting you might struggle.
People: Generally pretty good. It took about 15 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: tough. Tons of options if you like sushi.
Hope this helps!.
32 upvotes
Valentina Morris
Came here for a job opportunity and stayed because it's improved dramatically in recent years. The community vibe is honestly surprisingly good and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
30 upvotes
Connor M.
Public transit is solid here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it exceeded my expectations.
30 upvotes
Olivia Mendoza
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 1-bedroom. I genuinely enjoy living here. Compared to Houston it's tough.
29 upvotes
Madison L.
I've lived in Highland for about 11 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I genuinely enjoy living here. When I first moved here from Chicago, I was surprised by nightlife. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good schools in most areas
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- The cultural scene scene is hit or miss
The downsides:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Property taxes are high
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for couples. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
27 upvotes
Theodore Jones
Moved here last year, no regrets.
27 upvotes
Madeline Price
couldn't agree more
24 upvotes
Alexa Mitchell
I work in real estate here and it's been a really good experience overall. The job market for my field is excellent. Happy to answer more specific questions..
23 upvotes
Kinsley
interesting, hadn't considered that
22 upvotes
Kennedy Roberts
My experience has been mostly positive. it was the best decision I ever made. The only thing I'd watch out for is nightlife. Other than that, Would recommend to anyone considering it..
20 upvotes
Sarah Gonzalez
been saying this for years
20 upvotes
Aurora White
Moved here last year, no regrets.
16 upvotes
Kayden K.
facts
16 upvotes
Hazel Rogers
facts
15 upvotes
Adrian
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem hit or miss.
I've been here 1 years and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The thing nobody mentions is nightlife. It's developing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the safety is legit. And if you're into kayaking, this place is solid.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The The Heights side vs the Sunset side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
11 upvotes
Sophia Hernandez
this is the way
8 upvotes
cool_kennedy77
Moved here from Austin about 11 years ago. it was the best decision I ever made. Still getting used to job market but Good luck with whatever you decide..
7 upvotes
Zoey Roberts
I've lived in Highland for about 15 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's improved dramatically in recent years. When I first moved here from Chicago, I was surprised by nightlife. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Good airport with direct flights
- The nightlife scene is hit or miss
The downsides:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Dating scene is rough
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for remote workers. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
5 upvotes
Bennett T.
Public transit is hit or miss here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's been a really good experience overall.
4 upvotes
Julian Young
this is the way
3 upvotes
Ava R.
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I genuinely enjoy living here. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
2 upvotes
Amanda T.
Public transit is surprisingly good here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I have mixed feelings honestly.
1 upvotes
Robert Moore
Used to live on the Lakewood side, now on the Meadowbrook side. Completely different vibe. it was the best decision I ever made.
1 upvotes
Benjamin H.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a real estate agent who relocated here from Nashville about 9 years ago. The main reasons were school and a job opportunity.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good healthcare facilities
- Four distinct seasons
- Affordable housing options
Cons that are real:
- Chain restaurants dominate
- Limited entertainment options
Financially, we've found it average compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are established, gas is pretty good.
Socially, I have mixed feelings honestly. Good luck with whatever you decide..
1 upvotes
Isaiah T.
Hot take but it's exactly what I was looking for. I know a lot of people disagree but after 13 years here, that's my honest assessment.
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