So, I've been here for 13 years and Homes are going for about $202,600 on average. With a population of 52,761, Grand Island is a smaller city. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Has anyone dealt with this?
19 upvotes
17 Replies
Emily S.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Westside for 1 years. Moved from Salt Lake City for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is hit or miss. We bought in 2023 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
education is strong here. consulting is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are pricey for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's improved dramatically in recent years. The outdoor scene is underrated - we have rivers within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Westside schools are decent. 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. Not a lot of cultural diversity. And weather can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 7/10. Would recommend to anyone considering it.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
40 upvotes
Sara H.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem decent.
I've been here 3 years and I love the pace of life here. The thing nobody mentions is weather. It's established and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the school system is legit. And if you're into biking, this place is decent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Highland side vs the South side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
39 upvotes
jaxchef2023
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a HR manager, 30, moved here 12 years ago from Houston. I've lived in Maple Ridge and Downtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Nice parks and green spaces
3. Active local events and festivals
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Urban sprawl is real
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The food scene situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Maple Ridge: Great for young professionals. solid vibes, walkable.
- Downtown: 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 Houston, everything felt improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $90K-$150K here.
**Final verdict:**
Hope this helps!. 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.
38 upvotes
sunny_miles79
thanks for sharing
29 upvotes
Ian Foster
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Highland for 12 years. Moved from Denver for family. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is better than expected. We bought in 2017 at k and it's now worth down slightly 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. education is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are wild for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I have mixed feelings honestly. The outdoor scene is better than expected - 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. Highland schools are average. 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 shopping options. Homeless population growing downtown. And community vibe can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 5/10. It's not for everyone but it works for us.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
29 upvotes
Aaliyah Stewart
Moved here from Denver about 12 years ago. I genuinely enjoy living here. Still getting used to food scene but Good luck with whatever you decide..
28 upvotes
Evelyn Cooper
honestly same experience here
27 upvotes
Isaiah Johnson
spot on
22 upvotes
Valentina Moore
The food scene here is decent. Tons of great Thai places. it was the best decision I ever made.
19 upvotes
Cora R.
I've lived in Riverside for about 15 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. When I first moved here from Salt Lake City, I was surprised by public transit. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Good internet infrastructure
- The weather scene is underrated
The downsides:
- Limited public transit options
- Summers can be brutally hot
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for retirees. No regrets on my end..
18 upvotes
Colton T.
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 underrated. We bought in 2021 at k and it's now worth down slightly 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:**
government is strong here. marketing 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:**
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The outdoor scene is average - 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 average. 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 public transit options. Bugs and humidity in summer. And safety can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 8/10. Would recommend to anyone considering it.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
18 upvotes
Jordan J.
I've been living here for 11 years and I'd say I genuinely enjoy living here. The traffic is better than expected compared to other places I've lived. Overall Definitely worth checking out..
16 upvotes
Alexis B.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a social worker, 29, moved here 7 years ago from San Diego. I've lived in Eastside and Highland, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Active local events and festivals
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally solid - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Chain restaurants dominate
3. The healthcare situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Eastside: Great for families. hit or miss vibes, walkable.
- Highland: 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 Diego, everything felt tough. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $70K-$90K 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.
14 upvotes
Nolan Murphy
Public transit is decent here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's not perfect but it works for me.
12 upvotes
Leo W.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's exactly what I was looking for. Internet is improving in most areas.
6 upvotes
Angela M.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's not perfect but it works for me. Internet is tough in most areas.
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