Hey folks, Homes are going for about $477,400 on average. Poverty rate is 2.0%, which is pretty low. The unemployment rate is 1.2%, which is pretty low. With a population of 2,630, Briarcliff is a small town. Crime rate is something to consider -Briarcliff sits at 132.8 per 100K. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Has anyone dealt with this? The city has invested a lot in new development. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. The city has invested a lot in new development. The city has invested a lot in new development. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The weather takes some getting used to. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus.
10 upvotes
14 Replies
Stella M.
thanks for sharing
39 upvotes
Weston James
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a HR manager, 53, moved here 11 years ago from Portland. I've lived in West and Fairview, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Limited shopping options
3. The food scene situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- West: Great for young professionals. surprisingly good vibes, walkable.
- Fairview: 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 hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $50K-$70K 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.
37 upvotes
levi_mind
noted, appreciate it
36 upvotes
Carson K.
great question, following
34 upvotes
Alice
I've lived in Lakewood for about 11 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it exceeded my expectations. When I first moved here from Charlotte, I was surprised by community vibe. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Decent public transit for the size
- Lots of new development happening
- The community vibe scene is surprisingly good
The downsides:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Rising rent and home prices
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for families. Good luck with whatever you decide..
33 upvotes
Hudson S.
preach
30 upvotes
cincy_brielle
bump
27 upvotes
Dominic Gomez
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem improving.
I've been here 11 years and I genuinely enjoy living here. The thing nobody mentions is weather. It's growing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the pet-friendliness is legit. And if you're into running, this place is underrated.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Riverside side vs the Pine Hills side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
21 upvotes
Danielle R.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a social worker who relocated here from Raleigh about 12 years ago. The main reasons were retirement and retirement.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good schools in most areas
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Good healthcare facilities
Cons that are real:
- Limited shopping options
- Far from beaches/mountains
Financially, we've found it average compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are competitive, gas is tough.
Socially, it's been a really good experience overall. Good luck with whatever you decide..
21 upvotes
Adrian Allen
I've lived in Cedar Grove for about 9 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's exactly what I was looking for. When I first moved here from Chicago, I was surprised by job market. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- The outdoor recreation scene is improving
The downsides:
- Road conditions need improvement
- Limited shopping options
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for young professionals. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
14 upvotes
Benjamin K.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem pretty good.
I've been here 15 years and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The thing nobody mentions is cost of living. It's reasonable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the healthcare is legit. And if you're into rock climbing, this place is hit or miss.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Westside side vs the Downtown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
7 upvotes
Lydia P.
Moved here from Raleigh about 11 years ago. it's exactly what I was looking for. Still getting used to cultural scene but Feel free to reach out with questions..
4 upvotes
Sofia Johnson
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a HR manager, 47, moved here 3 years ago from Dallas. I've lived in Springfield and West, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Decent public transit for the size
2. Affordable housing options
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally pretty 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 school system situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Springfield: Great for remote workers. improving 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 Dallas, everything felt hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $60K-$90K here.
**Final verdict:**
Good luck with whatever you decide.. 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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