Random thought, I relocated for work and Homes are going for about $360,000 on average. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. I'd say it's better for families than young singles.
29 upvotes
15 Replies
Josiah Hernandez
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in West for 7 years. Moved from Seattle for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is tough. We bought in 2017 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. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
manufacturing is strong here. government is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are competitive for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The outdoor scene is challenging - 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. West 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. Limited public transit options. Road conditions need improvement. And public transit can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 5/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
39 upvotes
vegas_ethan
seconding this
38 upvotes
Gabriella R.
spot on
36 upvotes
Joseph
I've lived in Downtown for about 11 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's exactly what I was looking for. When I first moved here from Tampa, I was surprised by school system. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good internet infrastructure
- Diverse dining options
- The safety scene is average
The downsides:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Not very walkable outside downtown
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for young professionals. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
35 upvotes
Madelyn Flores
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want housing market, then yeah this place is great. But if cost of living matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
32 upvotes
Adrian Flores
nah I disagree
31 upvotes
Victoria Richardson
noted, appreciate it
30 upvotes
Luna Roberts
I've lived in Cedar Grove for about 10 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 Phoenix, I was surprised by public transit. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Decent public transit for the size
- Four distinct seasons
- The school system scene is underrated
The downsides:
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
- Dating scene is rough
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for families. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
20 upvotes
Elizabeth R.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem better than expected.
I've been here 13 years and I genuinely enjoy living here. The thing nobody mentions is school system. It's growing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the pet-friendliness is legit. And if you're into skiing, this place is tough.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Meadowbrook side vs the Pine Hills side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Hope this helps!.
18 upvotes
Robert Clark
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 11 years ago from Salt Lake City and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Uptown. It's hit or miss for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in marketing. If you're in retail you might struggle.
People: Generally average. It took about 17 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: surprisingly good. Tons of options if you like craft beer.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
16 upvotes
Nicholas Roberts
The food scene here is average. Tons of great Thai places. I genuinely enjoy living here.
15 upvotes
Kayden Wright
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value housing market, you'll love it. The weather is genuinely challenging and I've found it's exactly what I was looking for. My neighborhood (North) is wild and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Baltimore, be prepared for the culture shock. nightlife is completely different here. And Winters are long and cold.
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.
6 upvotes
Valentina Anderson
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value housing market, you'll love it. The dating scene is genuinely excellent and I've found I'm still on the fence after all this time. My neighborhood (North) is wild and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from LA, be prepared for the culture shock. safety is completely different here. And Limited public transit options.
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.
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