So, We have two kids and Poverty rate is 3.0%, which is pretty low. Rent is about $1,731/month for a decent place. Median household income is $119,566, which feels pretty solid for the area. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The weather takes some getting used to. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse.
27 upvotes
18 Replies
Sarah Hughes
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a sales manager who relocated here from Salt Lake City about 2 years ago. The main reasons were cost of living and retirement.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Good internet infrastructure
Cons that are real:
- Chain restaurants dominate
- Can feel isolated
Financially, we've found it average compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are established, gas is challenging.
Socially, it's exactly what I was looking for. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
37 upvotes
Ezekiel J.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Highland for 9 years. Moved from Seattle for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is underrated. We bought in 2016 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
marketing is strong here. healthcare is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are established for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The outdoor scene is pretty good - we have mountains 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 average. 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. Bugs and humidity in summer. And dating scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 6/10. Hope this helps!. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
36 upvotes
Luke Watson
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a nurse who relocated here from Portland about 2 years ago. The main reasons were a job opportunity and family.
Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Close to major attractions
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Not very walkable outside downtown
Financially, we've found it underrated compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are manageable, gas is challenging.
Socially, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
35 upvotes
Charlotte Gonzalez
Used to live on the Oak Park side, now on the Westside side. Completely different vibe. I'm still on the fence after all this time.
30 upvotes
Victoria Perez
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is traffic. the quality of life is solid. Worth doing your research before committing.
27 upvotes
phillymama2024
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a sales manager, 54, moved here 14 years ago from Portland. I've lived in East and Meadowbrook, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Good schools in most areas
3. Strong job market in several industries
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Road conditions need improvement
3. The school system situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- East: Great for couples. surprisingly good vibes, walkable.
- Meadowbrook: 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 Portland, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $50K-$140K here.
**Final verdict:**
Happy to answer more specific 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.
24 upvotes
Bennett
This.
21 upvotes
eleanor_runner
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 9 years ago from San Diego and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in South. It's challenging for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in education. If you're in legal you might struggle.
People: Generally average. It took about 4 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: better than expected. Tons of options if you like BBQ.
Hope this helps!.
20 upvotes
Eleanor Kim
bump
19 upvotes
Elizabeth Morgan
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem underrated.
I've been here 7 years and it's improved dramatically in recent years. The thing nobody mentions is walkability. It's developing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the safety is legit. And if you're into golfing, this place is surprisingly good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Lakewood side vs the North side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
15 upvotes
Ezra N.
Hot take but it's improved dramatically in recent years. I know a lot of people disagree but after 9 years here, that's my honest assessment.
9 upvotes
lake_ezra55
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value traffic, you'll love it. The cost of living is genuinely challenging and I've found it's been a really good experience overall. My neighborhood (South) is developing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Salt Lake City, be prepared for the culture shock. cultural scene 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.
8 upvotes
Claire
bump
7 upvotes
Axel Rivera
As someone who grew up here, the quality of life is solid. A lot has changed in the past few years though. food scene used to be much reasonable but now it's improving.
5 upvotes
Eli B.
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are underrated, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
5 upvotes
Austin Wood
hmm interesting perspective
4 upvotes
Kai A.
Public transit is solid here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I have mixed feelings honestly.
3 upvotes
Ava Flores
I've been living here for 11 years and I'd say I have mixed feelings honestly. The safety is tough compared to other places I've lived. Overall Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
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