OK so I'm single, late 40s, and The unemployment rate is 5.2%, which is about average. Median household income is $49,957, which feels on the lower side for the area. Property taxes are high but you get good services. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. What would you do?
25 upvotes
15 Replies
Caleb
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a software engineer, 49, moved here 1 years ago from Phoenix. I've lived in Highland and Westside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Property taxes are high
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The outdoor recreation situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Highland: Great for remote workers. surprisingly good vibes, walkable.
- Westside: 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 Phoenix, everything felt excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $60K-$130K 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.
36 upvotes
dallas_lucy
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 2 years. Moved from Minneapolis for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is underrated. 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. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
legal is strong here. hospitality 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 exactly what I was looking for. The outdoor scene is improving - 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 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. Summers can be brutally hot. Road conditions need improvement. And housing market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 5/10. Definitely worth checking out.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
34 upvotes
audrey_local
hmm interesting perspective
31 upvotes
Jacob M.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value weather, you'll love it. The cultural scene is genuinely surprisingly good and I've found I genuinely enjoy living here. My neighborhood (Springfield) is established and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Charlotte, be prepared for the culture shock. job market is completely different here. And Property taxes are high.
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.
24 upvotes
Lily Parker
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem surprisingly good.
I've been here 6 years and it was the best decision I ever made. The thing nobody mentions is dating scene. It's affordable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the weather is legit. And if you're into skiing, this place is surprisingly good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The West side vs the The Heights side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
22 upvotes
Oliver O.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a sales manager who relocated here from Charlotte about 2 years ago. The main reasons were family and a job opportunity.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Decent public transit for the size
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Financially, we've found it excellent compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are pricey, gas is decent.
Socially, it's exactly what I was looking for. Hope this helps!.
20 upvotes
Josiah Perez
good to know, thanks
19 upvotes
Nora Ross
As someone who grew up here, I have mixed feelings honestly. A lot has changed in the past few years though. job market used to be much competitive but now it's hit or miss.
18 upvotes
Joseph Long
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 12 years ago from Portland and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Highland. It's better than expected for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in real estate. If you're in marketing you might struggle.
People: Generally challenging. It took about 5 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: underrated. Tons of options if you like Korean.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
18 upvotes
Sarah F.
Bought a house here in 2024 and it's been a really good experience overall. Property values have gone about the same since then.
15 upvotes
Aria Lee
I work in finance here and it exceeded my expectations. The job market for my field is average. Happy to answer more specific questions..
14 upvotes
Maya Clark
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value cost of living, you'll love it. The food scene is genuinely decent and I've found it's been a really good experience overall. My neighborhood (Old Town) is established and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from San Francisco, be prepared for the culture shock. walkability is completely different here. And Traffic during rush hour is rough.
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.
13 upvotes
Jose S.
The food scene here is decent. Tons of great Korean places. I have mixed feelings honestly.
10 upvotes
Maya Ortiz
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are tough, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
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