Hey everyone, I'm a 31-year-old social worker and Average temperature is around 44--F, so bundle up in winter. With a population of 14,658, Black Forest is a small town. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level.
9 upvotes
15 Replies
Cooper Bennett
Weather-wise, the summers are surprisingly good and winters are reasonable. You get used to it after the first year.
36 upvotes
Zoe Baker
good to know, thanks
35 upvotes
Reagan S.
couldn't agree more
35 upvotes
Evan Jackson
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a contractor who relocated here from Austin about 1 years ago. The main reasons were cost of living and quality of life.
Pros I've experienced:
- Lots of new development happening
- Active local events and festivals
- Affordable housing options
Cons that are real:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Financially, we've found it tough compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are pricey, gas is solid.
Socially, I genuinely enjoy living here. Hope this helps!.
30 upvotes
Sadie Wright
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Definitely worth checking out..
27 upvotes
Samuel M.
Hot take but I love the pace of life here. I know a lot of people disagree but after 1 years here, that's my honest assessment.
21 upvotes
Weston Cox
thanks for sharing
16 upvotes
Cameron Walker
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a electrician, 47, moved here 3 years ago from Phoenix. I've lived in North and Riverside, 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. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Can feel isolated
3. The cultural scene situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- North: Great for young professionals. solid vibes, walkable.
- Riverside: 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 stable. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $50K-$80K here.
**Final verdict:**
Definitely worth checking out.. 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.
15 upvotes
Kai Myers
hard disagree but ok
15 upvotes
Vincent S.
hmm interesting perspective
10 upvotes
Jace Watson
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 7 years. Moved from LA for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is challenging. We bought in 2015 at k and it's now worth down slightly 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:**
retail is strong here. real estate is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are pricey for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's been a really good experience overall. The outdoor scene is hit or miss - we have biking trails 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 underrated. 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. Rising rent and home prices. Road conditions need improvement. And public transit can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 8/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
9 upvotes
Joseph Walker
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want walkability, then yeah this place is great. But if cost of living matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
9 upvotes
Angel King
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value job market, you'll love it. The traffic is genuinely better than expected and I've found there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. My neighborhood (Downtown) is growing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Denver, be prepared for the culture shock. walkability is completely different here. And Summers can be brutally hot.
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
Levi C.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a project manager, 34, moved here 7 years ago from Atlanta. I've lived in Riverside and Downtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Friendly community, easy to meet people
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Nightlife is limited
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The cultural scene situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Riverside: Great for singles. surprisingly good vibes, walkable.
- Downtown: 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 Atlanta, everything felt underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $60K-$140K 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.
6 upvotes
Charlotte Flores
Weather-wise, the summers are decent and winters are pricey. You get used to it after the first year.
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