Hello, I'm a college student here and The unemployment rate is 1.7%, which is pretty low. It's a a smaller city city with about 25,082 people. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. What neighborhoods would you suggest?
26 upvotes
11 Replies
Katherine Foster
As someone who grew up here, I genuinely enjoy living here. A lot has changed in the past few years though. housing market used to be much growing but now it's challenging.
39 upvotes
Katherine Phillips
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a lawyer who relocated here from Seattle about 8 years ago. The main reasons were a job opportunity and school.
Pros I've experienced:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Close to major attractions
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Winters are long and cold
Financially, we've found it improving compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are pricey, gas is hit or miss.
Socially, I'm still on the fence after all this time. Good luck with whatever you decide..
36 upvotes
Megan M.
My experience has been mostly positive. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The only thing I'd watch out for is food scene. Other than that, It's not for everyone but it works for us..
34 upvotes
Scarlett Jones
great question, following
27 upvotes
mesakid2023
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 8 years. Moved from Phoenix for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is solid. We bought in 2019 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
healthcare is strong here. education is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are affordable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's exactly what I was looking for. The outdoor scene is excellent - 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. Cedar Grove 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. Urban sprawl is real. Limited shopping options. And walkability can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 5/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
26 upvotes
cool_benjamin70
Bought a house here in 2017 and I'm still on the fence after all this time. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
21 upvotes
Cooper C.
as a local I can confirm
16 upvotes
Daniel
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is school system. it's exactly what I was looking for. Worth doing your research before committing.
11 upvotes
Eva
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a software engineer, 47, moved here 1 years ago from Pittsburgh. I've lived in North and Highland, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Growing food and restaurant scene
3. Good healthcare facilities
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Property taxes are high
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The walkability situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- North: Great for young professionals. average vibes, walkable.
- Highland: 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 better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $80K-$90K 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.
8 upvotes
Adam Kelly
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 1 years ago from LA and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Greenfield. It's surprisingly good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in marketing. If you're in consulting you might struggle.
People: Generally better than expected. It took about 10 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: surprisingly good. Tons of options if you like Mexican.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
8 upvotes
Weston Chavez
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value traffic, you'll love it. The housing market is genuinely improving and I've found it's improved dramatically in recent years. My neighborhood (Uptown) is manageable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Atlanta, be prepared for the culture shock. weather is completely different here. And Property taxes are high.
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.
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