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Commute times in West Memphis -how bad?

Hello, Homes are going for about $119,100 on average. Crime rate is something to consider -West Memphis sits at 1,984.3 per 100K. Poverty rate is 22.0%, which is higher than I expected. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The city has invested a lot in new development. The suburbs are where most families end up. What do you all think? Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The food scene here is surprisingly good.
4 upvotes

15 Replies

Cameron Stewart
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.

I've been in Highland for 14 years. Moved from Pittsburgh for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:

**Housing:**
The market right now is excellent. We bought in 2022 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.

**Employment:**
marketing is strong here. finance is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are competitive for the area.

**Quality of Life:**
it's not perfect but it works for me. The outdoor scene is better than expected - we have rivers 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 hit or miss. 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. Bugs and humidity in summer. Far from beaches/mountains. And food scene can be frustrating.

**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 6/10. Definitely worth checking out.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
38 upvotes
Maya Watson
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I love the pace of life here. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
35 upvotes
Brielle M.
I've lived in Highland for about 9 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 Raleigh, I was surprised by traffic. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.

A few things worth knowing:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Good internet infrastructure
- The community vibe scene is underrated

The downsides:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Not very walkable outside downtown

Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for retirees. Hope this helps!.
34 upvotes
Gabriella M.
I work in consulting here and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The job market for my field is improving. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
29 upvotes
Gabriel Wright
Weather-wise, the summers are better than expected and winters are pricey. You get used to it after the first year.
26 upvotes
Logan Ramirez
haha yep pretty much
25 upvotes
dallasrunner2025
Totally agree!
24 upvotes
river_naomi99
As someone who grew up here, it's not perfect but it works for me. A lot has changed in the past few years though. outdoor recreation used to be much growing but now it's improving.
19 upvotes
Lily M.
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 4-bedroom. it exceeded my expectations. Compared to Seattle it's decent.
18 upvotes
real_ella23
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.

Background: I'm a HR manager, 57, moved here 3 years ago from Austin. I've lived in Springfield and East, and traveled to most parts of the metro.

**What I love:**
1. Low crime in most neighborhoods
2. Good healthcare facilities
3. Good internet infrastructure
4. The people are generally solid - I found my community within the first year

**What I don't love:**
1. Rising rent and home prices
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The outdoor recreation situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving

**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Springfield: Great for young professionals. better than expected vibes, walkable.
- East: 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 Austin, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $40K-$130K here.

**Final verdict:**
Feel free to reach out with questions.. 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.
18 upvotes
Sarah
haha yep pretty much
13 upvotes
Jonathan
100%
13 upvotes
Sadie Nguyen
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is food scene. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Worth doing your research before committing.
10 upvotes
Emilia Campbell
We moved here with our family and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Schools in East area are surprisingly good. Kids love it here.
9 upvotes
Sadie Green
Moved here from Houston about 9 years ago. I love the pace of life here. Still getting used to pet-friendliness but Hope this helps!.
0 upvotes
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