First post here. My family moved here when I was a kid. Poverty rate is 12.0%, which is around average. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Am I overthinking this? The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. The food scene here is surprisingly good. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level.
7 upvotes
21 Replies
milwaukee_scarlett
noted, appreciate it
40 upvotes
Scarlett Edwards
exactly what I was thinking
37 upvotes
chill_john15
Hot take but I genuinely enjoy living here. I know a lot of people disagree but after 4 years here, that's my honest assessment.
36 upvotes
Nevaeh Peterson
I've lived in Cedar Grove for about 2 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I genuinely enjoy living here. When I first moved here from Phoenix, I was surprised by walkability. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Nice parks and green spaces
- The public transit scene is surprisingly good
The downsides:
- Homeless population growing downtown
- Far from beaches/mountains
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for remote workers. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
31 upvotes
Brooklyn Walker
I work in finance here and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The job market for my field is hit or miss. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
24 upvotes
Everly Walker
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are better than expected, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
24 upvotes
Benjamin Phillips
I'm a contractor and I've found it was the best decision I ever made. The community is challenging and there's always something going on.
23 upvotes
Isabella Bailey
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem tough.
I've been here 11 years and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The thing nobody mentions is cost of living. It's wild and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cultural scene is legit. And if you're into photography, this place is decent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Riverside side vs the Lakewood side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
22 upvotes
Henry James
not my experience at all
21 upvotes
Adeline Wood
Weather-wise, the summers are excellent and winters are stable. You get used to it after the first year.
20 upvotes
Aurora C.
Can confirm, been here 7 years.
19 upvotes
Emma Rodriguez
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a marketing manager, 48, moved here 4 years ago from Miami. I've lived in Highland and Westside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Lots of new development happening
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Limited shopping options
3. The housing market situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Highland: Great for remote workers. challenging vibes, walkable.
- Westside: 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 Miami, everything felt hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $70K-$80K 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.
17 upvotes
Eli
spot on
17 upvotes
Luca M.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want outdoor recreation, then yeah this place is great. But if job market matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
16 upvotes
Carter A.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 11 years ago from Minneapolis and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Westside. It's hit or miss for what you get.
Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in marketing. If you're in marketing you might struggle.
People: Generally decent. It took about 5 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: solid. Tons of options if you like BBQ.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
10 upvotes
Everett Gutierrez
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a physical therapist, 28, moved here 15 years ago from Phoenix. I've lived in Greenfield and Old Town, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Winters are long and cold
3. The school system situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Greenfield: Great for families. decent vibes, walkable.
- Old Town: 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 Phoenix, everything felt challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $60K-$70K 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.
9 upvotes
Quinn Rivera
nah I disagree
6 upvotes
Betty M.
I've lived in North for about 3 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. When I first moved here from LA, I was surprised by healthcare. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good internet infrastructure
- Active local events and festivals
- The healthcare scene is pretty good
The downsides:
- Nightlife is limited
- Can feel isolated
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for singles. Happy to answer more specific questions..
5 upvotes
Aiden Watson
exactly what I was thinking
4 upvotes
Brielle Gonzalez
literally same
0 upvotes
Grayson R.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value cost of living, you'll love it. The nightlife is genuinely hit or miss and I've found it exceeded my expectations. My neighborhood (Old Town) is competitive and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Baltimore, be prepared for the culture shock. safety is completely different here. And Chain restaurants dominate.
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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