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Colton Hughes living

Why I chose Arbutus over bigger cities

Random thought, I'm a remote worker and Median household income is $97,215, which feels pretty solid for the area. The median home value here is around $296,800, which seems about average. Homes are going for about $296,800 on average. Crime rate is something to consider -Arbutus sits at 1,338.5 per 100K. It's a a small town city with about 20,869 people. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood.

Pros:
- Great weather
- Diverse community
- Strong sense of community
- Walkable downtown

Cons:
- Cold winters
- Rising rent prices
- Limited nightlife
- Sprawl everywhere
- Poor road conditions
There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. The weather takes some getting used to. The suburbs are where most families end up. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly.
13 upvotes

5 Replies

Austin R.
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are challenging, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
26 upvotes
Riley Diaz
yeah no that's not right
24 upvotes
Ella F.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want nightlife, then yeah this place is great. But if walkability matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
22 upvotes
Jeremiah Collins
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 9 years. Moved from LA for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:

**Housing:**
The market right now is improving. We bought in 2024 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.

**Employment:**
education is strong here. legal 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'm still on the fence after all this time. The outdoor scene is challenging - we have national forests 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 better than expected. 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. Chain restaurants dominate. Bugs and humidity in summer. And school system can be frustrating.

**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 5/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
4 upvotes
Arianna Thompson
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.

I'm a lawyer who relocated here from Phoenix about 2 years ago. The main reasons were family and cost of living.

Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Good healthcare facilities
- Lots of family-friendly activities

Cons that are real:
- Nightlife is limited
- Limited shopping options

Financially, we've found it hit or miss compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are established, gas is improving.

Socially, it's exactly what I was looking for. Definitely worth checking out..
1 upvotes
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