Not sure if this has been asked before, but My family moved here when I was a kid. Homes are going for about $238,000 on average. Poverty rate is 12.0%, which is around average. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Does this match your experience? Night life is decent if you know the right spots. I'd say it's better for families than young singles.
13 upvotes
22 Replies
James Lewis
Hot take but I'm still on the fence after all this time. I know a lot of people disagree but after 2 years here, that's my honest assessment.
36 upvotes
Carson Roberts
I work in hospitality here and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The job market for my field is hit or miss. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
35 upvotes
Grayson Robinson
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem improving.
I've been here 1 years and I have mixed feelings honestly. The thing nobody mentions is community vibe. It's pricey and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the housing market is legit. And if you're into fishing, this place is solid.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The The Heights side vs the Oak Park side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
34 upvotes
John Harris
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 3-bedroom. it's not perfect but it works for me. Compared to Denver it's better than expected.
33 upvotes
Andrew D.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem decent.
I've been here 9 years and it exceeded my expectations. The thing nobody mentions is outdoor recreation. It's reasonable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the traffic is legit. And if you're into fishing, this place is tough.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The South side vs the Eastside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Hope this helps!.
32 upvotes
Sophia Long
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is cost of living. the quality of life is solid. Worth doing your research before committing.
27 upvotes
Bradley P.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Midtown for 10 years. Moved from Atlanta for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is excellent. We bought in 2022 at k and it's now worth about the same 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:**
healthcare is strong here. healthcare is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are manageable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's improved dramatically in recent years. The outdoor scene is surprisingly good - 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. Midtown schools are challenging. 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. Limited high-paying job options. And pet-friendliness can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 7/10. Would recommend to anyone considering it.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
26 upvotes
Jeremiah Gonzalez
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 Boston for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is pretty good. We bought in 2020 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
manufacturing is strong here. finance is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are growing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's not perfect but it works for me. The outdoor scene is pretty good - we have desert landscapes 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 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. Summers can be brutally hot. Not very walkable outside downtown. And traffic can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, 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
Andrew Lee
I work in healthcare here and it's not perfect but it works for me. The job market for my field is better than expected. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
22 upvotes
Aria Turner
glad someone said it
20 upvotes
Isaac Jones
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a nurse, 48, moved here 9 years ago from Seattle. I've lived in Oak Park and Downtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Nice parks and green spaces
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Can feel isolated
2. Dating scene is rough
3. The housing market situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Oak Park: Great for couples. better than expected 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 Seattle, everything felt excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $70K-$150K here.
**Final verdict:**
Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. 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.
20 upvotes
Jose
Came here for work and stayed because I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The food scene is honestly pretty good and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
20 upvotes
Bella H.
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are improving, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
19 upvotes
Scarlett Stewart
My experience has been mostly positive. it's improved dramatically in recent years. The only thing I'd watch out for is community vibe. Other than that, Happy to answer more specific questions..
18 upvotes
native_scarlett66
haha yep pretty much
13 upvotes
Nevaeh Ruiz
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 2-bedroom. I love the pace of life here. Compared to Salt Lake City it's better than expected.
12 upvotes
Lydia Perez
not my experience at all
11 upvotes
Landon Reyes
seconding this
10 upvotes
Alexa Adams
Used to live on the Downtown side, now on the Sunset side. Completely different vibe. I have mixed feelings honestly.
9 upvotes
Mackenzie Phillips
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a marketing manager, 57, moved here 7 years ago from Raleigh. I've lived in The Heights and Highland, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Affordable housing options
3. Diverse dining options
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. Not a lot of cultural diversity
3. The food scene situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- The Heights: Great for young professionals. better than expected 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 Raleigh, everything felt better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $60K-$110K 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.
9 upvotes
Amelia Richardson
I've lived in Greenfield for about 4 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I genuinely enjoy living here. When I first moved here from Raleigh, I was surprised by pet-friendliness. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good internet infrastructure
- Active local events and festivals
- The job market scene is tough
The downsides:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Limited high-paying job options
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for retirees. Definitely worth checking out..
1 upvotes
Michael Ross
Moved here from Pittsburgh about 8 years ago. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Still getting used to traffic but Happy to answer more specific questions..
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