Not sure if this has been asked before, but My partner and I are The unemployment rate is 3.3%, which is pretty low. The suburbs are where most families end up. Am I overthinking this? Thanks for reading. I'd say it's better for families than young singles.
27 upvotes
29 Replies
Emma M.
literally same
38 upvotes
Benjamin James
hard disagree but ok
38 upvotes
Xavier Lopez
I've lived in Cedar Grove for about 2 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's been a really good experience overall. When I first moved here from Miami, I was surprised by weather. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Close to major attractions
- Strong sense of community
- The nightlife scene is excellent
The downsides:
- Property taxes are high
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for families. No regrets on my end..
38 upvotes
Mateo Mendoza
good to know, thanks
37 upvotes
Rylee Kim
great question, following
35 upvotes
Grayson
couldn't agree more
34 upvotes
Hailey B.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a contractor who relocated here from Chicago about 1 years ago. The main reasons were weather and quality of life.
Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Diverse dining options
Cons that are real:
- Limited public transit options
- Summers can be brutally hot
Financially, we've found it average compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are affordable, gas is hit or miss.
Socially, I love the pace of life here. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
33 upvotes
Clara Nelson
My experience has been mostly positive. the quality of life is solid. The only thing I'd watch out for is healthcare. Other than that, Good luck with whatever you decide..
30 upvotes
Vivian Bailey
I work in hospitality here and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The job market for my field is better than expected. No regrets on my end..
28 upvotes
Adeline Davis
preach
26 upvotes
Elijah Bennett
seconding this
24 upvotes
Adam
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 2-bedroom. it's exactly what I was looking for. Compared to Portland it's pretty good.
23 upvotes
Lucas R.
I've lived in Old Town for about 2 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's improved dramatically in recent years. When I first moved here from Tampa, I was surprised by public transit. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Lots of new development happening
- Good airport with direct flights
- The cost of living scene is solid
The downsides:
- Can feel isolated
- Limited shopping options
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for families. Good luck with whatever you decide..
22 upvotes
Matthew Watson
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are improving, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
21 upvotes
Josiah Morgan
not my experience at all
18 upvotes
Katherine T.
Moved here from New York about 1 years ago. it's been a really good experience overall. Still getting used to food scene but Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
18 upvotes
Gabriella Jones
I've lived in Cedar Grove for about 8 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I love the pace of life here. When I first moved here from Atlanta, I was surprised by job market. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Strong job market in several industries
- The weather scene is better than expected
The downsides:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Can feel isolated
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for couples. No regrets on my end..
17 upvotes
Riley R.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in The Heights for 8 years. Moved from Houston for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is tough. We bought in 2018 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
consulting is strong here. consulting is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are reasonable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I genuinely enjoy living here. The outdoor scene is underrated - 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. The Heights schools are excellent. 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. Limited high-paying job options. Can feel isolated. And nightlife can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 6/10. Would recommend to anyone considering it.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
16 upvotes
Benjamin Lee
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a data analyst, 37, moved here 6 years ago from Charlotte. I've lived in Pine Hills and The Heights, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Lots of new development happening
2. Four distinct seasons
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Property taxes are high
2. Not a lot of cultural diversity
3. The food scene situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Pine Hills: Great for couples. excellent vibes, walkable.
- The Heights: 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 Charlotte, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $80K-$120K here.
**Final verdict:**
Good luck with whatever you decide.. 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.
16 upvotes
Clara Anderson
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem tough.
I've been here 12 years and I have mixed feelings honestly. The thing nobody mentions is school system. It's pricey and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cost of living is legit. And if you're into running, this place is solid.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Highland side vs the Lakewood side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
15 upvotes
Autumn
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are surprisingly good, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
14 upvotes
Jack Turner
I'm a HR manager and I've found I genuinely enjoy living here. The community is average and there's always something going on.
13 upvotes
urban_brooklyn15
We moved here with our family and I'm still on the fence after all this time. Schools in Maple Ridge area are surprisingly good. Kids love it here.
9 upvotes
Nathan J.
Can confirm, been here 14 years.
9 upvotes
Leonardo Jimenez
noted, appreciate it
7 upvotes
Kinsley H.
haha yep pretty much
6 upvotes
Paisley Miller
Public transit is underrated here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now.
6 upvotes
Delilah
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a data analyst who relocated here from Phoenix about 4 years ago. The main reasons were retirement and a fresh start.
Pros I've experienced:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Affordable housing options
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Chain restaurants dominate
Financially, we've found it decent compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are stable, gas is solid.
Socially, I genuinely enjoy living here. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
All Countries
