Longtime lurker here, Just moved here 17 months ago and The unemployment rate is 1.7%, which is pretty low. The median home value here is around $377,100, which seems about average. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Worth the trade-offs? Cheers.
9 upvotes
14 Replies
Miles Wood
interesting, hadn't considered that
40 upvotes
Samuel W.
Used to live on the Fairview side, now on the South side. Completely different vibe. I'm still on the fence after all this time.
39 upvotes
Angel Ramirez
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want food scene, then yeah this place is great. But if housing market matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
35 upvotes
aurora_native
yeah no that's not right
32 upvotes
sf_ethan
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 Tampa for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is decent. We bought in 2021 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
legal is strong here. consulting 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:**
it's not perfect but it works for me. The outdoor scene is decent - 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 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. Traffic during rush hour is rough. Bugs and humidity in summer. And pet-friendliness can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 5/10. Hope this helps!. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
28 upvotes
Gabriel G.
interesting, hadn't considered that
28 upvotes
Ruby Cruz
not my experience at all
28 upvotes
Oliver Ortiz
My experience has been mostly positive. I'm still on the fence after all this time. The only thing I'd watch out for is nightlife. Other than that, Feel free to reach out with questions..
24 upvotes
Isla Mendoza
wish I knew this sooner
23 upvotes
Bella Brown
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a nurse, 24, moved here 4 years ago from Salt Lake City. I've lived in Lakewood and Highland, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Nice parks and green spaces
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Good internet infrastructure
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Not very walkable outside downtown
3. The cost of living situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Lakewood: Great for couples. challenging 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 Salt Lake City, everything felt solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $40K-$140K 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.
13 upvotes
Eli Gutierrez
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value walkability, you'll love it. The school system is genuinely excellent and I've found it's exactly what I was looking for. My neighborhood (Oak Park) is developing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Tampa, be prepared for the culture shock. healthcare is completely different here. And Can feel isolated.
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.
9 upvotes
Eugene P.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Meadowbrook for 12 years. Moved from Raleigh for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is better than expected. We bought in 2016 at k and it's now worth down slightly 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:**
engineering is strong here. legal is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are developing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I genuinely enjoy living here. The outdoor scene is improving - we have lakes within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Meadowbrook 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. Urban sprawl is real. Bugs and humidity in summer. And dating scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 9/10. Would recommend to anyone considering it.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
5 upvotes
Caleb Perez
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a pharmacist, 42, moved here 3 years ago from Denver. I've lived in Riverside and West, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Four distinct seasons
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited high-paying job options
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The community vibe situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Riverside: Great for young professionals. hit or miss vibes, walkable.
- West: 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 Denver, everything felt solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $50K-$110K here.
**Final verdict:**
Would recommend to anyone considering it.. 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.
5 upvotes
mesa_stella
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is healthcare. I love the pace of life here. Worth doing your research before committing.
All Countries
