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Benjamin E. best-worst

Best hidden gems in Collegedale

Curious what people think. I work in real estate and Crime rate is something to consider -Collegedale sits at 83.8 per 100K. Average temperature is around 62--F, so the weather is moderate. It's a a small town city with about 11,185 people. With a population of 11,185, Collegedale is a small town. Household incomes average around $64,905 in Collegedale. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level.

Pros:
- Great weather
- Good job market
- Growing food scene
- Walkable downtown
- Plenty of shopping options

Cons:
- Not very walkable
- Limited dining options
- Lack of diversity
- Far from major airports
There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The weather takes some getting used to. The suburbs are where most families end up. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The food scene here is surprisingly good. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. The suburbs are where most families end up. The suburbs are where most families end up. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much.
12 upvotes

12 Replies

Victoria Hughes
Used to live on the Riverside side, now on the Highland side. Completely different vibe. I have mixed feelings honestly.
39 upvotes
sacramento_arianna
We moved here with our family and it was the best decision I ever made. Schools in Cedar Grove area are challenging. Kids love it here.
38 upvotes
oakland_liam
not my experience at all
32 upvotes
Alexander Martin
As someone who grew up here, it was the best decision I ever made. A lot has changed in the past few years though. cost of living used to be much manageable but now it's better than expected.
22 upvotes
Kinsley Johnson
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 8 years ago from San Diego and here's my honest breakdown:

Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Fairview. It's hit or miss for what you get.

Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in healthcare. If you're in engineering you might struggle.

People: Generally hit or miss. It took about 16 months to build a solid friend group.

Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like BBQ.

No regrets on my end..
20 upvotes
Hannah Moore
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are improving, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
20 upvotes
Easton Cooper
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem underrated.

I've been here 11 years and I genuinely enjoy living here. The thing nobody mentions is walkability. It's developing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.

That said, the outdoor recreation is legit. And if you're into mountain biking, this place is solid.

Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Pine Hills side vs the Highland side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.

Definitely worth checking out..
20 upvotes
Nevaeh Jackson
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 9 years ago from Chicago and here's my honest breakdown:

Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Fairview. It's improving for what you get.

Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in manufacturing. If you're in hospitality you might struggle.

People: Generally underrated. It took about 9 months to build a solid friend group.

Food: improving. Tons of options if you like craft beer.

Definitely worth checking out..
19 upvotes
Henry R.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.

I'm a writer who relocated here from New York about 8 years ago. The main reasons were my partner's job and school.

Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Strong job market in several industries
- Four distinct seasons

Cons that are real:
- Nightlife is limited
- Dating scene is rough

Financially, we've found it tough compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are wild, gas is challenging.

Socially, the quality of life is solid. Hope this helps!.
15 upvotes
Ellie Morales
Used to live on the East side, now on the Lakewood side. Completely different vibe. the quality of life is solid.
9 upvotes
Lily
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's not perfect but it works for me. Happy to answer more specific questions..
2 upvotes
Joseph J.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.

Background: I'm a teacher, 31, moved here 13 years ago from Phoenix. I've lived in Highland and East, and traveled to most parts of the metro.

**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Low crime in most neighborhoods
3. Close to major attractions
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year

**What I don't love:**
1. Rising rent and home prices
2. Not a lot of cultural diversity
3. The food scene situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving

**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Highland: Great for young professionals. surprisingly good vibes, walkable.
- East: 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 average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $100K-$80K here.

**Final verdict:**
Good luck with whatever you decide.. 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.
2 upvotes
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