I'm retired and The unemployment rate is 2.7%, which is pretty low. With a population of 137K, Cedar Rapids is a mid-size city. It's a a mid-size city city with about 137K people. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The city has invested a lot in new development. The weather takes some getting used to. Worth the trade-offs? There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. It's changing fast — some good, some not so much. The weather takes some getting used to. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level.
51 upvotes
5 Replies
Cameron S.
Totally agree!
35 upvotes
Caroline Cook
been saying this for years
34 upvotes
Matthew
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a writer, 39, moved here 9 years ago from Salt Lake City. I've lived in Riverside and North, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Good schools in most areas
3. Close to major attractions
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Nightlife is limited
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The nightlife situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Riverside: Great for families. surprisingly good vibes, walkable.
- North: 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 Salt Lake City, everything felt average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $50K-$150K 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.
24 upvotes
Paisley
Used to live on the Eastside side, now on the Maple Ridge side. Completely different vibe. I'm still on the fence after all this time.
20 upvotes
Zoe H.
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I'm still on the fence after all this time. Good luck with whatever you decide..
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