Longtime lurker here, I'm a teacher here and It's a a small town city with about 10,663 people. The median home value here is around $368,600, which seems about average. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Anyone in a similar situation? I'd say it's better for families than young singles.
4 upvotes
11 Replies
Charlotte Murphy
I've lived in Midtown for about 15 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's not perfect but it works for me. When I first moved here from Tampa, I was surprised by pet-friendliness. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Four distinct seasons
- The housing market scene is average
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for families. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
37 upvotes
Wesley Morales
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem decent.
I've been here 11 years and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The thing nobody mentions is dating scene. It's wild and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the housing market is legit. And if you're into hiking, this place is underrated.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The South side vs the Cedar Grove side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
32 upvotes
Eugene P.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 12 years ago from San Francisco and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Springfield. It's solid for what you get.
Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in marketing. If you're in education you might struggle.
People: Generally better than expected. It took about 10 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: solid. Tons of options if you like Southern.
Hope this helps!.
24 upvotes
Cameron Martin
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 solid and I've found it's improved dramatically in recent years. My neighborhood (Pine Hills) is pricey and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Charlotte, be prepared for the culture shock. healthcare 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.
24 upvotes
seattlevibes2026
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value weather, you'll love it. The food scene is genuinely hit or miss and I've found it's not perfect but it works for me. My neighborhood (Midtown) is affordable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from New York, be prepared for the culture shock. walkability is completely different here. And Can feel isolated.
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.
23 upvotes
Thomas James
not my experience at all
20 upvotes
Chloe Sanders
wish I knew this sooner
19 upvotes
Rylee W.
Moved here from San Francisco about 5 years ago. it's exactly what I was looking for. Still getting used to cost of living but Would recommend to anyone considering it..
11 upvotes
Ruby Martin
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a social worker, 37, moved here 8 years ago from New York. I've lived in Downtown and Lakewood, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Friendly community, easy to meet people
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not a lot of cultural diversity
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The housing market situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Downtown: Great for families. surprisingly good vibes, walkable.
- Lakewood: 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 New York, everything felt better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $90K-$120K here.
**Final verdict:**
Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. 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.
8 upvotes
Nathan M.
thanks for sharing
8 upvotes
Ezekiel
I've lived in Highland for about 4 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
the quality of life is solid. When I first moved here from Salt Lake City, I was surprised by school system. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Good healthcare facilities
- The outdoor recreation scene is tough
The downsides:
- Property taxes are high
- Chain restaurants dominate
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for remote workers. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
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