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Julia best-worst

Top 5 things I love about Centralia

Anyone else feel this way? I'm a college student here and The median home value here is around $267,600, which seems about average. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The suburbs are where most families end up. Am I overthinking this? People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look.
11 upvotes

13 Replies

Isla White
haha yep pretty much
35 upvotes
Leonardo Patel
hard disagree but ok
29 upvotes
Adrian Flores
interesting, hadn't considered that
29 upvotes
Olivia
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 14 years. Moved from Phoenix for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:

**Housing:**
The market right now is pretty good. 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. The market is competitive but not impossible.

**Employment:**
education is strong here. construction 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 love the pace of life here. The outdoor scene is solid - 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 average. 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. Homeless population growing downtown. And pet-friendliness can be frustrating.

**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 9/10. Definitely worth checking out.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
28 upvotes
Arianna Diaz
We moved here with our family and it's exactly what I was looking for. Schools in Fairview area are underrated. Kids love it here.
26 upvotes
portland_caroline
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.

I've been in Eastside for 9 years. Moved from Salt Lake City for family. Here's my honest, detailed take:

**Housing:**
The market right now is surprisingly good. We bought in 2024 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. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.

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

**Quality of Life:**
it was the best decision I ever made. The outdoor scene is solid - we have ski resorts within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.

**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Eastside schools are improving. 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. Dating scene is rough. Limited entertainment options. And school system can be frustrating.

**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 8/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
25 upvotes
Owen Taylor
seconding this
22 upvotes
oaklanddude2021
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.

Background: I'm a accountant, 24, moved here 10 years ago from San Francisco. I've lived in West and Cedar Grove, and traveled to most parts of the metro.

**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
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. Homeless population growing downtown
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The traffic situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving

**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- West: Great for couples. hit or miss vibes, walkable.
- Cedar Grove: 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 San Francisco, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $80K-$130K 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.
16 upvotes
Owen Johnson
Came here for school and stayed because I genuinely enjoy living here. The housing market is honestly surprisingly good and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
16 upvotes
Madeline H.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.

I'm a software engineer who relocated here from Boston about 9 years ago. The main reasons were family and a fresh start.

Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Strong job market in several industries
- Strong sense of community

Cons that are real:
- Can feel isolated
- Far from beaches/mountains

Financially, we've found it better than expected compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are growing, gas is better than expected.

Socially, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Feel free to reach out with questions..
14 upvotes
Mackenzie Brooks
Weather-wise, the summers are average and winters are reasonable. You get used to it after the first year.
11 upvotes
Camila White
literally same
7 upvotes
lapapa2021
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are improving, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
2 upvotes
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