I'm a teacher here and The unemployment rate is 2.0%, which is pretty low. The median home value here is around $368,500, which seems about average. Average temperature is around 67--F, so the weather is moderate. Median household income is $64,345, which feels about average for the area. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The weather takes some getting used to. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Worth the trade-offs?
10 upvotes
15 Replies
Eli W.
great question, following
40 upvotes
Hudson Gonzalez
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem challenging.
I've been here 14 years and it's improved dramatically in recent years. The thing nobody mentions is healthcare. It's developing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the food scene is legit. And if you're into biking, this place is better than expected.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Sunset side vs the Cedar Grove side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
38 upvotes
denverrider2021
I work in finance here and I love the pace of life here. The job market for my field is tough. No regrets on my end..
35 upvotes
Isabella Rogers
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a electrician, 43, moved here 8 years ago from Boston. I've lived in Oak Park and Cedar Grove, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Nice parks and green spaces
2. Lots of new development happening
3. Diverse dining options
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. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The job market situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Oak Park: Great for singles. excellent vibes, walkable.
- Cedar Grove: 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 Boston, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $40K-$120K 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.
34 upvotes
Miles Harris
The food scene here is surprisingly good. Tons of great Mediterranean places. the quality of life is solid.
31 upvotes
Nova Hughes
honestly same experience here
31 upvotes
Julian Thompson
Came here for a job opportunity and stayed because the quality of life is solid. The nightlife is honestly excellent and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
24 upvotes
Thomas Williams
I've lived in Highland for about 6 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. When I first moved here from Baltimore, I was surprised by cost of living. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good internet infrastructure
- Four distinct seasons
- The public transit scene is surprisingly good
The downsides:
- Road conditions need improvement
- Can feel isolated
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for couples. Hope this helps!.
20 upvotes
Wesley Morales
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is job market. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Worth doing your research before committing.
16 upvotes
Katherine
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a sales manager who relocated here from Salt Lake City about 10 years ago. The main reasons were family and work.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good healthcare facilities
- Lots of new development happening
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Far from beaches/mountains
Financially, we've found it better than expected compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are growing, gas is surprisingly good.
Socially, it was the best decision I ever made. Happy to answer more specific questions..
15 upvotes
Emilia
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are excellent, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
10 upvotes
Ryan M.
bump
9 upvotes
Jace S.
hard disagree but ok
5 upvotes
Chloe Reyes
Came here for cost of living and stayed because I'm still on the fence after all this time. The cost of living is honestly average and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
4 upvotes
Luke Davis
Came here for quality of life and stayed because there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The pet-friendliness is honestly challenging and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
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