Not sure if this has been asked before, but Poverty rate is 8.6%, which is pretty low. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. The weather takes some getting used to. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable.
10 upvotes
20 Replies
Oliver Hill
as a local I can confirm
40 upvotes
Sophie
Moved here from San Francisco about 2 years ago. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Still getting used to food scene but Feel free to reach out with questions..
36 upvotes
Zoey J.
Public transit is underrated here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it was the best decision I ever made.
32 upvotes
Piper G.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a social worker who relocated here from Raleigh about 14 years ago. The main reasons were a fresh start and school.
Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Good schools in most areas
- Good internet infrastructure
Cons that are real:
- Limited public transit options
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Financially, we've found it improving compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are competitive, gas is improving.
Socially, it's improved dramatically in recent years. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
31 upvotes
Valentina Flores
I've lived in Cedar Grove for about 5 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's not perfect but it works for me. When I first moved here from Charlotte, I was surprised by housing market. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Good schools in most areas
- The cost of living scene is decent
The downsides:
- Limited shopping options
- Homeless population growing downtown
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for families. No regrets on my end..
26 upvotes
Evelyn T.
Used to live on the Pine Hills side, now on the South side. Completely different vibe. it's improved dramatically in recent years.
26 upvotes
Natalie White
I work in consulting here and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The job market for my field is solid. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
24 upvotes
David G.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Midtown for 8 years. Moved from Nashville for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is average. We bought in 2016 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
marketing is strong here. engineering is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are wild for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's been a really good experience overall. 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. Midtown 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. Nightlife is limited. Urban sprawl is real. And outdoor recreation can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 6/10. Would recommend to anyone considering it.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
24 upvotes
Larry R.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value housing market, you'll love it. The safety is genuinely excellent and I've found it's been a really good experience overall. My neighborhood (North) is affordable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from LA, be prepared for the culture shock. housing market is completely different here. And Rising rent and home prices.
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.
23 upvotes
Katherine Reyes
I'm a writer and I've found it exceeded my expectations. The community is hit or miss and there's always something going on.
22 upvotes
Lauren B.
exactly what I was thinking
21 upvotes
Jack
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want dating scene, then yeah this place is great. But if pet-friendliness matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
20 upvotes
Sean L.
Public transit is better than expected here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now.
19 upvotes
Jace Hughes
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 7 years ago from Seattle and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Uptown. It's tough for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in tech. If you're in healthcare you might struggle.
People: Generally average. It took about 7 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: excellent. Tons of options if you like Thai.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
9 upvotes
Roman Morgan
We moved here with our family and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Schools in East area are average. Kids love it here.
9 upvotes
Katherine K.
hmm interesting perspective
8 upvotes
Everett Gutierrez
Hot take but it was the best decision I ever made. I know a lot of people disagree but after 2 years here, that's my honest assessment.
6 upvotes
Jaxon Murphy
Hot take but it exceeded my expectations. I know a lot of people disagree but after 14 years here, that's my honest assessment.
4 upvotes
Jeremiah J.
Hot take but I'm still on the fence after all this time. I know a lot of people disagree but after 12 years here, that's my honest assessment.
2 upvotes
Ruby P.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value cultural scene, you'll love it. The job market is genuinely surprisingly good and I've found I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. My neighborhood (Pine Hills) is growing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Baltimore, be prepared for the culture shock. cost of living 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.
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