Not sure if this has been asked before, but I'm originally from Minneapolis and Rent is about $1,441/month for a decent place. Average temperature is around 45--F, so expect cold winters. With a population of 31,792, Ithaca is a smaller city. Poverty rate is 9.1%, which is pretty low. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. What would you do? It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The suburbs are where most families end up. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The city has invested a lot in new development. The suburbs are where most families end up. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. The suburbs are where most families end up. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The suburbs are where most families end up. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods.
30 upvotes
18 Replies
Roman W.
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 3-bedroom. the quality of life is solid. Compared to Chicago it's improving.
38 upvotes
wyatt_papa
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want cost of living, then yeah this place is great. But if outdoor recreation matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
37 upvotes
Colton Gomez
seconding this
34 upvotes
Adam Morales
I've lived in Pine Hills for about 14 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 Minneapolis, I was surprised by job market. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Nice parks and green spaces
- The housing market scene is tough
The downsides:
- Chain restaurants dominate
- Limited shopping options
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for singles. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
33 upvotes
Landon Howard
accurate
31 upvotes
Ethan Wilson
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem solid.
I've been here 13 years and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The thing nobody mentions is housing market. It's competitive and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the food scene is legit. And if you're into rock climbing, this place is challenging.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The North side vs the Midtown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
29 upvotes
Aubrey Stewart
Used to live on the Westside side, now on the Highland side. Completely different vibe. I'm still on the fence after all this time.
25 upvotes
Grayson Cook
I've been living here for 15 years and I'd say I have mixed feelings honestly. The pet-friendliness is excellent compared to other places I've lived. Overall Hope this helps!.
25 upvotes
Henry Edwards
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 13 years. Moved from Chicago for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is surprisingly good. We bought in 2015 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
manufacturing is strong here. healthcare 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:**
it's exactly what I was looking for. The outdoor scene is hit or miss - we have mountains 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 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. Limited public transit options. Dating scene is rough. And healthcare can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 9/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
24 upvotes
Mia Roberts
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 1-bedroom. I genuinely enjoy living here. Compared to Chicago it's challenging.
23 upvotes
Caleb H.
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is job market. I genuinely enjoy living here. Worth doing your research before committing.
19 upvotes
Philip F.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want school system, then yeah this place is great. But if public transit matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
18 upvotes
Anna Castillo
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a electrician, 45, moved here 14 years ago from Houston. I've lived in The Heights and Pine Hills, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Good airport with direct flights
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not a lot of cultural diversity
2. Limited shopping options
3. The healthcare situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- The Heights: Great for retirees. 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 Houston, everything felt hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $50K-$150K here.
**Final verdict:**
No regrets on my end.. 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.
16 upvotes
Harper
underrated comment
13 upvotes
Hailey Castillo
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are hit or miss, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
11 upvotes
Paisley Evans
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a accountant, 33, moved here 6 years ago from San Diego. I've lived in Lakewood and West, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Active local events and festivals
2. Diverse dining options
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Chain restaurants dominate
3. The food scene situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Lakewood: Great for singles. excellent vibes, walkable.
- West: 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 surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $50K-$140K here.
**Final verdict:**
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. 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.
11 upvotes
Kinsley G.
been saying this for years
9 upvotes
Theodore Reyes
Hot take but it's not perfect but it works for me. I know a lot of people disagree but after 10 years here, that's my honest assessment.
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