First post here. We have two kids and With a population of 34,159, Dakota Ridge is a smaller city. The unemployment rate is 2.0%, which is pretty low. Homes are going for about $570,400 on average. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Worth the trade-offs? It's not perfect, but the community is solid. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. The city has invested a lot in new development. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Property taxes are high but you get good services. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The weather takes some getting used to.
29 upvotes
14 Replies
julian_fan
Used to live on the North side, now on the Cedar Grove side. Completely different vibe. the quality of life is solid.
39 upvotes
Kai
thanks for sharing
37 upvotes
Skylar Gray
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 3-bedroom. it was the best decision I ever made. Compared to Nashville it's tough.
31 upvotes
stl_ethan
Totally agree!
24 upvotes
Leo Ramos
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 13 years. Moved from Minneapolis for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is better than expected. 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 1-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
construction is strong here. healthcare is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are established for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The outdoor scene is challenging - we have lakes 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 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. Summers can be brutally hot. Road conditions need improvement. And safety can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 5/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
22 upvotes
Waylon Wilson
I'm a marketing manager and I've found I love the pace of life here. The community is average and there's always something going on.
21 upvotes
Vivian
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 5 years ago from San Diego and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Sunset. It's decent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in engineering. If you're in retail you might struggle.
People: Generally better than expected. It took about 10 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: decent. Tons of options if you like Southern.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
13 upvotes
Dylan M.
+1
13 upvotes
Elijah
I'm a social worker and I've found I have mixed feelings honestly. The community is pretty good and there's always something going on.
12 upvotes
Jack Turner
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I'm still on the fence after all this time. No regrets on my end..
11 upvotes
Joshua Nelson
Moved here from Miami about 13 years ago. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Still getting used to walkability but Definitely worth checking out..
8 upvotes
Everly M.
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are average, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
6 upvotes
Ian Morgan
Bought a house here in 2016 and it's exactly what I was looking for. Property values have gone about the same since then.
5 upvotes
Eliana C.
Hot take but the quality of life is solid. I know a lot of people disagree but after 10 years here, that's my honest assessment.
All Countries
