Curious what people think. I'm a remote worker and Median household income is $69,279, which feels about average for the area. The unemployment rate is 1.5%, which is pretty low. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Any advice would be great.
1 upvotes
19 Replies
Genesis Ortiz
Weather-wise, the summers are excellent and winters are pricey. You get used to it after the first year.
37 upvotes
Michael Morgan
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a teacher who relocated here from Chicago about 11 years ago. The main reasons were school and family.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good internet infrastructure
- Four distinct seasons
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Can feel isolated
Financially, we've found it improving compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are developing, gas is excellent.
Socially, I'm still on the fence after all this time. No regrets on my end..
35 upvotes
Emmett Kelly
it depends on the neighborhood
34 upvotes
Genesis Diaz
My experience has been mostly positive. I genuinely enjoy living here. The only thing I'd watch out for is traffic. Other than that, Happy to answer more specific questions..
33 upvotes
Matthew Bailey
big facts right here
31 upvotes
Peyton Bennett
Used to live on the Riverside side, now on the Maple Ridge side. Completely different vibe. the quality of life is solid.
29 upvotes
Connor Lewis
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a pharmacist, 52, moved here 11 years ago from New York. I've lived in Westside and Oak Park, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Low crime in most neighborhoods
3. Close to major attractions
4. The people are generally solid - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Nightlife is limited
2. Road conditions need improvement
3. The outdoor recreation situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Westside: Great for families. improving vibes, walkable.
- Oak Park: 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 surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $50K-$70K here.
**Final verdict:**
Definitely worth checking out.. 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.
29 upvotes
jordan_heart
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Internet is average in most areas.
29 upvotes
nora_rider
Bought a house here in 2024 and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
28 upvotes
Elijah Sanders
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
26 upvotes
Ezekiel Reyes
Moved here from Nashville about 3 years ago. it was the best decision I ever made. Still getting used to housing market but It's not for everyone but it works for us..
23 upvotes
Lillian Baker
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a lawyer who relocated here from New York about 2 years ago. The main reasons were retirement and cost of living.
Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Decent public transit for the size
Cons that are real:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Limited public transit options
Financially, we've found it excellent compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are growing, gas is improving.
Socially, it's not perfect but it works for me. Feel free to reach out with questions..
19 upvotes
Sophia L.
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 12 years. Moved from Phoenix for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is tough. 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 4-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
real estate is strong here. healthcare is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are stable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I genuinely enjoy living here. The outdoor scene is decent - we have ski resorts 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. Urban sprawl is real. Property taxes are high. And weather can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 9/10. Definitely worth checking out.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
13 upvotes
Isabella R.
underrated comment
8 upvotes
Scarlett A.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 1 years ago from Portland and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Fairview. It's surprisingly good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in real estate. If you're in hospitality you might struggle.
People: Generally excellent. It took about 15 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: excellent. Tons of options if you like sushi.
No regrets on my end..
4 upvotes
Aubrey Wilson
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a chef who relocated here from San Francisco about 15 years ago. The main reasons were school and a fresh start.
Pros I've experienced:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Four distinct seasons
- Good airport with direct flights
Cons that are real:
- Nightlife is limited
- Limited high-paying job options
Financially, we've found it underrated compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are stable, gas is solid.
Socially, it's improved dramatically in recent years. Happy to answer more specific questions..
3 upvotes
Nevaeh M.
Hot take but the quality of life is solid. I know a lot of people disagree but after 9 years here, that's my honest assessment.
2 upvotes
Bella Adams
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a real estate agent who relocated here from Minneapolis about 8 years ago. The main reasons were my partner's job and my partner's job.
Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Good internet infrastructure
Cons that are real:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Road conditions need improvement
Financially, we've found it better than expected compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are developing, gas is tough.
Socially, it's been a really good experience overall. Happy to answer more specific questions..
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