Hey everyone, I'm a nurse at the local hospital and Poverty rate is 8.3%, which is pretty low. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. The suburbs are where most families end up. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years.
28 upvotes
18 Replies
Evan Murphy
I've lived in Pine Hills for about 9 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it was the best decision I ever made. When I first moved here from Austin, I was surprised by job market. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good schools in most areas
- Four distinct seasons
- The cost of living scene is hit or miss
The downsides:
- Road conditions need improvement
- Dating scene is rough
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for couples. Happy to answer more specific questions..
40 upvotes
kc_avery
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 4 years ago from Dallas and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Oak Park. It's improving for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in engineering. If you're in engineering you might struggle.
People: Generally better than expected. It took about 4 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: excellent. Tons of options if you like Korean.
Definitely worth checking out..
39 upvotes
Ryan Hughes
same here
39 upvotes
Weston Jackson
100%
38 upvotes
Caroline Reyes
As someone who grew up here, it's exactly what I was looking for. A lot has changed in the past few years though. nightlife used to be much growing but now it's better than expected.
36 upvotes
Ellie Mendoza
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a HR manager who relocated here from Portland about 14 years ago. The main reasons were a fresh start and my partner's job.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Growing food and restaurant scene
Cons that are real:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Limited public transit options
Financially, we've found it average compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are established, gas is excellent.
Socially, I'm still on the fence after all this time. No regrets on my end..
33 upvotes
Grace Miller
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 5 years. Moved from Boston for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is underrated. We bought in 2017 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. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
marketing is strong here. legal 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:**
I'm still on the fence after all this time. The outdoor scene is hit or miss - 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 hit or miss. 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. Limited high-paying job options. Homeless population growing downtown. And outdoor recreation can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 6/10. It's not for everyone but it works for us.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
28 upvotes
Sophia K.
noted, appreciate it
25 upvotes
Santiago Morris
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want community vibe, then yeah this place is great. But if healthcare matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
19 upvotes
Mateo Thompson
as a local I can confirm
19 upvotes
Everly
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a accountant, 49, moved here 7 years ago from San Francisco. I've lived in Riverside and Uptown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Good internet infrastructure
4. The people are generally solid - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Rising rent and home prices
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The safety situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Riverside: Great for families. surprisingly good vibes, walkable.
- Uptown: 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 decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $90K-$90K here.
**Final verdict:**
Happy to answer more specific questions.. 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.
18 upvotes
Jaxon Ramirez
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a project manager who relocated here from Portland about 6 years ago. The main reasons were family and weather.
Pros I've experienced:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Decent public transit for the size
- Active local events and festivals
Cons that are real:
- Nightlife is limited
- Limited shopping options
Financially, we've found it tough compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are manageable, gas is pretty good.
Socially, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
14 upvotes
Declan Long
noted, appreciate it
10 upvotes
Naomi M.
Totally agree!
9 upvotes
Evelyn
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value traffic, you'll love it. The cost of living is genuinely underrated and I've found it's not perfect but it works for me. My neighborhood (Uptown) is established and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from San Diego, be prepared for the culture shock. traffic is completely different here. And Bugs and humidity in summer.
My advice would be to visit for at least a week before committing. Rent first, don't buy. And explore multiple neighborhoods - they're all different.
8 upvotes
Melanie Gonzalez
this is the way
4 upvotes
Jaxon
haha yep pretty much
4 upvotes
Valentina Martin
Came here for retirement and stayed because the quality of life is solid. The outdoor recreation is honestly pretty good and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
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