Hey, I relocated for work and The unemployment rate is 1.2%, which is pretty low. The median home value here is around $137,600, which is actually reasonable. Median household income is $63,850, which feels about average for the area. With a population of 8,247, Denison is a small town. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The city has invested a lot in new development. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. The city has invested a lot in new development. The food scene here is surprisingly good.
7 upvotes
10 Replies
Julie O.
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 Austin for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is better than expected. We bought in 2022 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. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
retail is strong here. real estate is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are developing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's not perfect but it works for me. The outdoor scene is decent - we have biking trails 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. Dating scene is rough. Far from beaches/mountains. And dating scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 6/10. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
33 upvotes
houstonheart2025
As someone who grew up here, I love the pace of life here. A lot has changed in the past few years though. school system used to be much pricey but now it's tough.
33 upvotes
Christopher C.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 15 years ago from Salt Lake City and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in West. It's surprisingly good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in consulting. If you're in healthcare you might struggle.
People: Generally better than expected. It took about 10 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: improving. Tons of options if you like Mediterranean.
No regrets on my end..
26 upvotes
bostonfan2024
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a HR manager, 34, moved here 15 years ago from Portland. I've lived in Greenfield and North, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Affordable housing options
2. Strong sense of community
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. Limited high-paying job options
2. Can feel isolated
3. The healthcare situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Greenfield: Great for young professionals. average vibes, walkable.
- North: 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 Portland, everything felt improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $50K-$130K here.
**Final verdict:**
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. 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.
23 upvotes
Delilah Rivera
Public transit is underrated here. You'll probably need a car for most things. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
19 upvotes
dallaswalker2022
The food scene here is pretty good. Tons of great farm-to-table places. it's not perfect but it works for me.
19 upvotes
Jayden Morris
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a nurse who relocated here from Raleigh about 4 years ago. The main reasons were cost of living and family.
Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Affordable housing options
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Winters are long and cold
- Homeless population growing downtown
Financially, we've found it solid compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are established, gas is decent.
Socially, it exceeded my expectations. Happy to answer more specific questions..
14 upvotes
Aubrey Ruiz
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a writer who relocated here from Salt Lake City about 13 years ago. The main reasons were a job opportunity and work.
Pros I've experienced:
- Four distinct seasons
- Affordable housing options
- Diverse dining options
Cons that are real:
- Limited high-paying job options
- Road conditions need improvement
Financially, we've found it tough compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are developing, gas is surprisingly good.
Socially, I have mixed feelings honestly. Happy to answer more specific questions..
11 upvotes
Grayson Moore
bump
1 upvotes
Maverick Lewis
Moved here from Raleigh about 8 years ago. it's exactly what I was looking for. Still getting used to healthcare but No regrets on my end..
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