The unemployment rate is 2.2%, which is pretty low. Crime rate is something to consider -Boyes Hot Springs sits at 310.5 per 100K. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Am I overthinking this? The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The city has invested a lot in new development.
0 upvotes
13 Replies
sacramento_greyson
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in South for 6 years. Moved from Boston for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is pretty good. We bought in 2024 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
government is strong here. legal 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:**
I have mixed feelings honestly. The outdoor scene is average - 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. South 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. Can feel isolated. Homeless population growing downtown. And food scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 5/10. Would recommend to anyone considering it.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
39 upvotes
Aaliyah Adams
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem improving.
I've been here 9 years and I have mixed feelings honestly. The thing nobody mentions is community vibe. It's wild and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the traffic is legit. And if you're into photography, this place is pretty good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Fairview side vs the The Heights side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
37 upvotes
Cora S.
literally same
37 upvotes
Samuel Davis
yep
32 upvotes
Avery Scott
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a writer, 38, moved here 15 years ago from Portland. I've lived in Old Town and Riverside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Close to major attractions
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Nightlife is limited
2. Urban sprawl is real
3. The nightlife situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Old Town: Great for young professionals. decent 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 Portland, everything felt underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $40K-$120K 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.
29 upvotes
orlando_angel
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's been a really good experience overall. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
18 upvotes
Evelyn Torres
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are tough, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
17 upvotes
Hunter Taylor
Public transit is decent here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's exactly what I was looking for.
15 upvotes
Ezra Mendoza
Came here for retirement and stayed because it's improved dramatically in recent years. The community vibe is honestly underrated and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
15 upvotes
Harper Castillo
interesting, hadn't considered that
13 upvotes
Evelyn Y.
My experience has been mostly positive. it's been a really good experience overall. The only thing I'd watch out for is weather. Other than that, Feel free to reach out with questions..
8 upvotes
Jack Castillo
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 11 years. Moved from Boston for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is hit or miss. We bought in 2024 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
tech is strong here. manufacturing 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:**
I have mixed feelings honestly. The outdoor scene is pretty good - we have hiking 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 solid. 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. Not very walkable outside downtown. And housing market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 5/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
2 upvotes
Angel Parker
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a pharmacist, 55, moved here 7 years ago from Baltimore. I've lived in Fairview and Eastside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Nice parks and green spaces
2. Diverse dining options
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. Road conditions need improvement
2. Can feel isolated
3. The walkability situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Fairview: Great for singles. tough vibes, walkable.
- Eastside: 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 Baltimore, everything felt challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is competitive. 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.
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