Curious what people think. Been living here since 2005. Rent is about $1,774/month for a decent place. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. TIA! The weather takes some getting used to. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse.
3 upvotes
11 Replies
Timothy E.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem excellent.
I've been here 1 years and I love the pace of life here. The thing nobody mentions is housing market. It's wild and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the walkability is legit. And if you're into surfing, this place is pretty good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Westside side vs the Riverside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
40 upvotes
Christian Watson
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are excellent, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
36 upvotes
orlandoguy2021
accurate
31 upvotes
Valentina R.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem underrated.
I've been here 8 years and it's not perfect but it works for me. The thing nobody mentions is job market. It's competitive and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the dating scene is legit. And if you're into kayaking, this place is average.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Old Town side vs the Downtown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
31 upvotes
Willie L.
Moved here from Denver about 1 years ago. I genuinely enjoy living here. Still getting used to dating scene but It's not for everyone but it works for us..
30 upvotes
atlguy2023
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value traffic, you'll love it. The public transit is genuinely pretty good and I've found I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. My neighborhood (Greenfield) is competitive and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Dallas, be prepared for the culture shock. nightlife is completely different here. And Limited public transit options.
My advice would be to visit for at least a week before committing. Rent first, don't buy. And explore multiple neighborhoods - they're all different.
27 upvotes
bostonmama2021
Moved here last year, no regrets.
27 upvotes
Hazel Thomas
facts
18 upvotes
Cooper C.
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 10 years. Moved from San Francisco for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is hit or miss. We bought in 2017 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
tech 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:**
it's been a really good experience overall. The outdoor scene is surprisingly good - we have desert landscapes 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 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. Limited public transit options. Can feel isolated. And dating scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 5/10. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
10 upvotes
Andrew C.
I work in engineering here and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The job market for my field is better than expected. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
8 upvotes
Rylee M.
I work in marketing here and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The job market for my field is underrated. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
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