Random thought, Born and raised here. Homes are going for about $342,000 on average. The median home value here is around $342,000, which seems about average. Poverty rate is 10.9%, which is around average. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Any advice would be great. The city has invested a lot in new development. The weather takes some getting used to. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The city has invested a lot in new development. The suburbs are where most families end up. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Property taxes are high but you get good services. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level.
6 upvotes
13 Replies
Jean S.
Public transit is solid here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I love the pace of life here.
40 upvotes
Robert Foster
Came here for a fresh start and stayed because I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The nightlife is honestly better than expected and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
33 upvotes
Liam Thomas
Hot take but it's exactly what I was looking for. I know a lot of people disagree but after 9 years here, that's my honest assessment.
30 upvotes
Ethan
Bought a house here in 2024 and it was the best decision I ever made. Property values have gone about the same since then.
28 upvotes
Maya Ramirez
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 15 years ago from New York and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Uptown. It's decent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in retail. If you're in real estate you might struggle.
People: Generally solid. It took about 8 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: tough. Tons of options if you like Vietnamese.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
28 upvotes
Victoria L.
I've lived in Cedar Grove for about 11 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. When I first moved here from Raleigh, I was surprised by walkability. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Good schools in most areas
- The cost of living scene is decent
The downsides:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Road conditions need improvement
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for families. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
26 upvotes
Sophia Howard
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. No regrets on my end..
21 upvotes
Avery
Bought a house here in 2022 and I have mixed feelings honestly. Property values have gone up significantly since then.
16 upvotes
Savannah King
Weather-wise, the summers are decent and winters are growing. You get used to it after the first year.
14 upvotes
Jacob S.
Bought a house here in 2019 and it's exactly what I was looking for. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
13 upvotes
austin_lily
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a software engineer, 26, moved here 7 years ago from Seattle. I've lived in Eastside and Midtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good healthcare facilities
2. Four distinct seasons
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Urban sprawl is real
2. Not very walkable outside downtown
3. The walkability situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Eastside: Great for couples. underrated vibes, walkable.
- Midtown: 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 Seattle, everything felt tough. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $80K-$130K 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.
10 upvotes
Adrian P.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a project manager, 25, moved here 5 years ago from New York. I've lived in South and Fairview, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Growing food and restaurant scene
3. Decent public transit for the size
4. The people are generally hit or miss - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Not very walkable outside downtown
3. The nightlife situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- South: Great for couples. challenging vibes, walkable.
- Fairview: 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 New York, everything felt underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $100K-$130K 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.
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