So, It's a a smaller city city with about 32,895 people. Average temperature is around 52--F, so expect cold winters. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Am I overthinking this? Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. The weather takes some getting used to. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. The suburbs are where most families end up. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. The suburbs are where most families end up. The weather takes some getting used to. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The weather takes some getting used to. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus.
5 upvotes
29 Replies
Eva Carter
hmm interesting perspective
38 upvotes
Barbara L.
couldn't agree more
38 upvotes
Nora C.
I'm a physical therapist and I've found I have mixed feelings honestly. The community is decent and there's always something going on.
35 upvotes
Emma Myers
Can confirm, been here 8 years.
33 upvotes
Kaylee M.
As someone who grew up here, I love the pace of life here. A lot has changed in the past few years though. nightlife used to be much wild but now it's hit or miss.
33 upvotes
Quinn Evans
Weather-wise, the summers are better than expected and winters are stable. You get used to it after the first year.
32 upvotes
native_emily63
As someone who grew up here, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. A lot has changed in the past few years though. nightlife used to be much wild but now it's underrated.
32 upvotes
Audrey Ramirez
underrated comment
30 upvotes
Lily Hill
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it exceeded my expectations. Feel free to reach out with questions..
29 upvotes
Emily Martinez
same here
25 upvotes
Bennett M.
accurate
23 upvotes
Thomas Y.
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 15 years. Moved from Baltimore for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is solid. We bought in 2015 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
education is strong here. legal 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:**
I love the pace of life here. The outdoor scene is improving - we have beaches 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 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. Limited shopping options. Dating scene is rough. And walkability can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 6/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
23 upvotes
Eli W.
I've lived in Cedar Grove for about 7 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I love the pace of life here. When I first moved here from Minneapolis, I was surprised by walkability. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Good airport with direct flights
- The school system scene is solid
The downsides:
- Limited high-paying job options
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for couples. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
21 upvotes
Eva W.
The food scene here is better than expected. Tons of great Mediterranean places. it was the best decision I ever made.
19 upvotes
Eli White
good to know, thanks
19 upvotes
urban_alice55
As someone who grew up here, it's not perfect but it works for me. A lot has changed in the past few years though. public transit used to be much growing but now it's pretty good.
16 upvotes
Maya Nguyen
Hot take but it's improved dramatically in recent years. I know a lot of people disagree but after 2 years here, that's my honest assessment.
15 upvotes
Sara J.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Westside for 15 years. Moved from San Francisco for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is solid. We bought in 2024 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
construction is strong here. government is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are affordable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The outdoor scene is challenging - we have state parks within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Westside schools are surprisingly 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. Rising rent and home prices. Dating scene is rough. And food scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 7/10. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
14 upvotes
Scarlett
We moved here with our family and it's exactly what I was looking for. Schools in Old Town area are surprisingly good. Kids love it here.
13 upvotes
Gregory L.
Used to live on the West side, now on the Springfield side. Completely different vibe. the quality of life is solid.
13 upvotes
Harper Nelson
facts
11 upvotes
Sadie Evans
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, the quality of life is solid. Definitely worth checking out..
11 upvotes
Addison R.
My experience has been mostly positive. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The only thing I'd watch out for is pet-friendliness. Other than that, Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
10 upvotes
Wyatt Kelly
bump
10 upvotes
Christian Flores
nah I disagree
9 upvotes
Benjamin Rogers
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 15 years ago from LA 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 developing right now, especially in finance. If you're in government you might struggle.
People: Generally tough. It took about 5 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: excellent. Tons of options if you like Italian.
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