OK so I'm single, late 40s, and You can expect to pay around $1,194 for rent here. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Any advice would be great. Cheers.
7 upvotes
13 Replies
Adeline Howard
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 4 years ago from San Francisco and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Highland. It's excellent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in education. If you're in engineering you might struggle.
People: Generally tough. It took about 14 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: decent. Tons of options if you like Mediterranean.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
38 upvotes
Chloe Martinez
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem challenging.
I've been here 9 years and the quality of life is solid. The thing nobody mentions is public transit. It's established and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the public transit is legit. And if you're into golfing, this place is hit or miss.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Eastside side vs the Pine Hills side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
36 upvotes
Charlotte C.
been saying this for years
34 upvotes
Kaylee M.
Bought a house here in 2023 and it exceeded my expectations. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
32 upvotes
Jayden Morris
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a lawyer, 53, moved here 10 years ago from San Francisco. I've lived in Cedar Grove and Pine Hills, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good healthcare facilities
2. Lots of new development happening
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Road conditions need improvement
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The nightlife situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Cedar Grove: Great for young professionals. tough vibes, walkable.
- Pine Hills: 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 San Francisco, everything felt challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $80K-$80K here.
**Final verdict:**
It's not for everyone but it works for us.. 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.
27 upvotes
Amanda T.
Hot take but the quality of life is solid. I know a lot of people disagree but after 7 years here, that's my honest assessment.
23 upvotes
Wesley Ramos
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in East for 6 years. Moved from Tampa for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is improving. We bought in 2019 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
real estate is strong here. construction is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are manageable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The outdoor scene is decent - we have beaches within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. East schools are surprisingly good. 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. Winters are long and cold. Not a lot of cultural diversity. And weather can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 8/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
23 upvotes
Mason Rivera
hmm interesting perspective
13 upvotes
Leah B.
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 8 years. Moved from Denver for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is excellent. We bought in 2016 at k and it's now worth up significantly 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:**
legal is strong here. consulting is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are reasonable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I have mixed feelings honestly. The outdoor scene is average - we have national forests 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 tough. 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. Road conditions need improvement. Bugs and humidity in summer. And cultural scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 7/10. Hope this helps!. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
12 upvotes
Michael Alvarez
interesting, hadn't considered that
9 upvotes
Ruby Ross
This.
1 upvotes
Jordan
Totally agree!
1 upvotes
Willow Ramos
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 4-bedroom. it exceeded my expectations. Compared to Chicago it's solid.
All Countries
