I'm a nurse at the local hospital and Household incomes average around $41,231 in Chester. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Am I wrong here? The food scene here is surprisingly good.
14 upvotes
3 Replies
Hunter Morgan
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 12 years. Moved from Raleigh for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is pretty good. We bought in 2020 at k and it's now worth up significantly 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:**
legal is strong here. hospitality 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 excellent - 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. 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. Winters are long and cold. Urban sprawl is real. And traffic can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 9/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
32 upvotes
nola_wyatt
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a teacher, 50, moved here 14 years ago from Phoenix. I've lived in West and Highland, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Growing food and restaurant scene
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Not a lot of cultural diversity
3. The cultural scene situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- West: Great for retirees. better than expected vibes, walkable.
- Highland: 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 Phoenix, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $90K-$140K here.
**Final verdict:**
Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. 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.
32 upvotes
Sadie Carter
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 2 years ago from Chicago and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Westside. It's tough for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in hospitality. If you're in hospitality you might struggle.
People: Generally surprisingly good. It took about 14 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: surprisingly good. Tons of options if you like Mexican.
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