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chicagorider2021 living

Life in Cedar Hills as a young professional

Hey folks, We have two kids and Household incomes average around $137,527 in Cedar Hills. Crime rate is something to consider -Cedar Hills sits at 42.5 per 100K. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look.
9 upvotes

15 Replies

Eliana W.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.

Background: I'm a pharmacist, 44, moved here 9 years ago from Chicago. I've lived in Westside and Greenfield, and traveled to most parts of the metro.

**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Strong job market in several industries
4. The people are generally hit or miss - I found my community within the first year

**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Not very walkable outside downtown
3. The outdoor recreation situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving

**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Westside: Great for remote workers. hit or miss vibes, walkable.
- Greenfield: 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 Chicago, everything felt average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $90K-$100K here.

**Final verdict:**
No regrets on my end.. 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
Samuel Nguyen
We moved here with our family and I'm still on the fence after all this time. Schools in Cedar Grove area are underrated. Kids love it here.
31 upvotes
Ezra Ramirez
Moved here from Houston about 9 years ago. it exceeded my expectations. Still getting used to job market but Would recommend to anyone considering it..
27 upvotes
Madeline Young
Public transit is surprisingly good here. You'll probably need a car for most things. the quality of life is solid.
26 upvotes
Carter Ross
I've lived in Cedar Grove for about 8 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.

it exceeded my expectations. When I first moved here from San Diego, I was surprised by healthcare. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.

A few things worth knowing:
- Good healthcare facilities
- Affordable housing options
- The community vibe scene is challenging

The downsides:
- Winters are long and cold
- Chain restaurants dominate

Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for remote workers. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
24 upvotes
Matthew T.
I've lived in Lakewood for about 4 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.

I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. When I first moved here from Miami, I was surprised by public transit. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.

A few things worth knowing:
- Good schools in most areas
- Nice parks and green spaces
- The traffic scene is average

The downsides:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Bugs and humidity in summer

Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for families. Happy to answer more specific questions..
24 upvotes
Nancy L.
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 4-bedroom. it was the best decision I ever made. Compared to San Diego it's average.
24 upvotes
Leah
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 2-bedroom. it exceeded my expectations. Compared to Portland it's surprisingly good.
17 upvotes
Isabella Murphy
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.

If you value cultural scene, you'll love it. The weather is genuinely tough and I've found it's improved dramatically in recent years. My neighborhood (Riverside) is competitive and I feel safe walking around at night.

But if you're coming from Salt Lake City, be prepared for the culture shock. nightlife is completely different here. And Not very walkable outside downtown.

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.
14 upvotes
Noah C.
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is nightlife. it's not perfect but it works for me. Worth doing your research before committing.
12 upvotes
Kayden K.
I work in engineering here and it's improved dramatically in recent years. The job market for my field is excellent. Definitely worth checking out..
11 upvotes
orlando_skylar
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.
7 upvotes
Zoey Cooper
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.

I've been in Old Town for 10 years. Moved from Austin for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:

**Housing:**
The market right now is decent. We bought in 2017 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. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.

**Employment:**
manufacturing is strong here. healthcare is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are reasonable for the area.

**Quality of Life:**
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The outdoor scene is solid - we have national forests within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.

**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Old Town 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. Limited high-paying job options. Limited shopping options. And nightlife can be frustrating.

**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 6/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
4 upvotes
Julian Jackson
Moved here from Houston about 11 years ago. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Still getting used to housing market but It's not for everyone but it works for us..
4 upvotes
Aaron T.
Weather-wise, the summers are excellent and winters are wild. You get used to it after the first year.
4 upvotes
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