Hey everyone, I'm a 27-year-old teacher and You can expect to pay around $1,040 for rent here. The median home value here is around $263,800, which seems about average. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Should I be concerned? The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years.
17 upvotes
21 Replies
Elijah Carter
literally same
38 upvotes
Kennedy
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a chef, 40, moved here 11 years ago from Tampa. I've lived in Lakewood and Sunset, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Strong job market in several industries
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not a lot of cultural diversity
2. Can feel isolated
3. The pet-friendliness situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Lakewood: Great for families. solid vibes, walkable.
- Sunset: 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 Tampa, everything felt average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $40K-$100K here.
**Final verdict:**
No regrets on my end.. 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
Zoe Turner
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a electrician, 32, moved here 9 years ago from Pittsburgh. I've lived in North and Greenfield, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Decent public transit for the size
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited shopping options
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The public transit situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- North: Great for retirees. underrated vibes, walkable.
- Greenfield: 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 Pittsburgh, everything felt hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $60K-$90K here.
**Final verdict:**
Hope this helps!. 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
Nicholas Gutierrez
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Cedar Grove for 6 years. Moved from Boston for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is challenging. We bought in 2022 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
real estate is strong here. retail is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are growing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I'm still on the fence after all this time. The outdoor scene is excellent - we have biking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Cedar Grove schools are pretty good. 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. Urban sprawl is real. Not a lot of cultural diversity. And healthcare can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 9/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
33 upvotes
Matthew Sanchez
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value outdoor recreation, you'll love it. The safety is genuinely pretty good and I've found I have mixed feelings honestly. My neighborhood (South) is growing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Salt Lake City, be prepared for the culture shock. traffic is completely different here. And Limited public transit options.
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.
32 upvotes
David K.
Used to live on the Uptown side, now on the Meadowbrook side. Completely different vibe. I have mixed feelings honestly.
31 upvotes
Sophie Watson
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a physical therapist who relocated here from San Francisco about 5 years ago. The main reasons were weather and cost of living.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Active local events and festivals
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Limited shopping options
Financially, we've found it average compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are pricey, gas is surprisingly good.
Socially, the quality of life is solid. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
28 upvotes
Caleb Lopez
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's improved dramatically in recent years. Good luck with whatever you decide..
26 upvotes
Everly Kim
I'm a writer and I've found I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The community is underrated and there's always something going on.
21 upvotes
Naomi R.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value cultural scene, you'll love it. The safety is genuinely solid and I've found I'm still on the fence after all this time. My neighborhood (Meadowbrook) is manageable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Miami, be prepared for the culture shock. food scene is completely different here. And Not a lot of cultural diversity.
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.
20 upvotes
Caroline N.
as a local I can confirm
18 upvotes
Greyson Rivera
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a sales manager who relocated here from Phoenix about 14 years ago. The main reasons were weather and family.
Pros I've experienced:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Strong job market in several industries
- Good internet infrastructure
Cons that are real:
- Nightlife is limited
- Urban sprawl is real
Financially, we've found it better than expected compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are stable, gas is hit or miss.
Socially, it's exactly what I was looking for. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
17 upvotes
Everly Ruiz
yep
15 upvotes
Leo Sanders
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is healthcare. it was the best decision I ever made. Worth doing your research before committing.
15 upvotes
Maverick H.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I genuinely enjoy living here. Internet is challenging in most areas.
14 upvotes
Jace King
Bought a house here in 2019 and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
13 upvotes
Adam
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I have mixed feelings honestly. Happy to answer more specific questions..
7 upvotes
Levi Flores
I've lived in Maple Ridge 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 Chicago, I was surprised by community vibe. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- The housing market scene is hit or miss
The downsides:
- Chain restaurants dominate
- Limited entertainment options
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for remote workers. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
6 upvotes
Nevaeh
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Westside for 14 years. Moved from LA for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is underrated. We bought in 2020 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
consulting is strong here. government is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are manageable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I love the pace of life here. The outdoor scene is pretty good - we have desert landscapes within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Westside 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. Winters are long and cold. Dating scene is rough. And walkability can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 7/10. Would recommend to anyone considering it.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
1 upvotes
cool_angel66
As someone who grew up here, it exceeded my expectations. A lot has changed in the past few years though. pet-friendliness used to be much reasonable but now it's challenging.
1 upvotes
Brielle
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is cost of living. I genuinely enjoy living here. Worth doing your research before committing.
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