Hey folks, I relocated for work and Household incomes average around $20,990 in Cidra zona urbana. Would love some local perspective.
13 upvotes
13 Replies
Abigail Ramos
thanks for sharing
34 upvotes
Jace W.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a accountant, 55, moved here 10 years ago from Denver. I've lived in Pine Hills and South, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Good healthcare facilities
3. Good internet infrastructure
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not a lot of cultural diversity
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The school system situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Pine Hills: Great for couples. decent vibes, walkable.
- South: 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 Denver, everything felt decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $70K-$70K here.
**Final verdict:**
Hope this helps!. 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.
34 upvotes
Abigail
Weather-wise, the summers are pretty good and winters are stable. You get used to it after the first year.
33 upvotes
Cooper Baker
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a nurse who relocated here from Salt Lake City about 5 years ago. The main reasons were school and weather.
Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Good schools in most areas
Cons that are real:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Chain restaurants dominate
Financially, we've found it average compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are established, gas is decent.
Socially, it's been a really good experience overall. Feel free to reach out with questions..
32 upvotes
Jameson Harris
100%
32 upvotes
Josiah Murphy
This.
28 upvotes
Hailey
Public transit is excellent here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I'm still on the fence after all this time.
26 upvotes
Joseph Lee
nah I disagree
23 upvotes
Camila S.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in The Heights for 1 years. Moved from Raleigh for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is decent. We bought in 2019 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
retail is strong here. construction is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are pricey for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's not perfect but it works for me. The outdoor scene is better than expected - 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. The Heights schools are pretty good. 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. Chain restaurants dominate. And weather can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 7/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
23 upvotes
Grace Young
Used to live on the Lakewood side, now on the Sunset side. Completely different vibe. the quality of life is solid.
15 upvotes
Eliana R.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a social worker who relocated here from Raleigh about 1 years ago. The main reasons were family and school.
Pros I've experienced:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Strong job market in several industries
- Active local events and festivals
Cons that are real:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Property taxes are high
Financially, we've found it excellent compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are wild, gas is surprisingly good.
Socially, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
14 upvotes
Benjamin Alvarez
yep
12 upvotes
Carter Thompson
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a marketing manager, 48, moved here 10 years ago from Houston. I've lived in Oak Park and Cedar Grove, 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. 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. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Road conditions need improvement
3. The school system situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Oak Park: Great for young professionals. challenging 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 Houston, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $70K-$80K here.
**Final verdict:**
Would recommend to anyone considering it.. 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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