All Countries
Arianna Mendoza
best-worst
Things that make Kent unique
Hello, I've been here for 18 years and Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Let me know your thoughts.
20 upvotes
30 Replies
Alexander Long
Weather-wise, the summers are surprisingly good and winters are reasonable. You get used to it after the first year.
40 upvotes
fresnovibes2020
I've been living here for 5 years and I'd say there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The cost of living is pretty good compared to other places I've lived. Overall Definitely worth checking out..
35 upvotes
Grace Moore
lol so true
33 upvotes
Luke A.
Came here for family and stayed because it's not perfect but it works for me. The healthcare is honestly solid and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
32 upvotes
Peyton Lopez
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a electrician who relocated here from Nashville about 9 years ago. The main reasons were weather and cost of living.
Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Property taxes are high
- Limited entertainment options
Financially, we've found it underrated compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are developing, gas is hit or miss.
Socially, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
I'm a electrician who relocated here from Nashville about 9 years ago. The main reasons were weather and cost of living.
Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Property taxes are high
- Limited entertainment options
Financially, we've found it underrated compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are developing, gas is hit or miss.
Socially, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
31 upvotes
Bella Ramirez
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 3-bedroom. it exceeded my expectations. Compared to Nashville it's average.
31 upvotes
Ethan P.
preach
31 upvotes
Emily Murphy
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's been a really good experience overall. Happy to answer more specific questions..
30 upvotes
milwaukee_scarlett
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a real estate agent, 37, moved here 14 years ago from Dallas. I've lived in Meadowbrook and Riverside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Active local events and festivals
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. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The weather situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Meadowbrook: Great for retirees. average vibes, walkable.
- Riverside: 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 Dallas, everything felt improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $70K-$100K here.
**Final verdict:**
Feel free to reach out with questions.. 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.
Background: I'm a real estate agent, 37, moved here 14 years ago from Dallas. I've lived in Meadowbrook and Riverside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Active local events and festivals
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. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The weather situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Meadowbrook: Great for retirees. average vibes, walkable.
- Riverside: 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 Dallas, everything felt improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $70K-$100K here.
**Final verdict:**
Feel free to reach out with questions.. 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.
29 upvotes
Willow Turner
I've been living here for 13 years and I'd say it's improved dramatically in recent years. The weather is solid compared to other places I've lived. Overall Would recommend to anyone considering it..
26 upvotes
proud_josiah24
I've lived in Cedar Grove for about 11 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. When I first moved here from Phoenix, I was surprised by outdoor recreation. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Strong job market in several industries
- Good airport with direct flights
- The safety scene is underrated
The downsides:
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
- Limited shopping options
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for singles. Definitely worth checking out..
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. When I first moved here from Phoenix, I was surprised by outdoor recreation. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Strong job market in several industries
- Good airport with direct flights
- The safety scene is underrated
The downsides:
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
- Limited shopping options
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for singles. Definitely worth checking out..
24 upvotes
Emilia Campbell
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.
24 upvotes
Landon S.
Hot take but it's not perfect but it works for me. I know a lot of people disagree but after 2 years here, that's my honest assessment.
21 upvotes
Aurora Robinson
bump
20 upvotes
Kennedy Martinez
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Internet is pretty good in most areas.
19 upvotes
Willow N.
Saving this thread
19 upvotes
Oliver Robinson
I've been living here for 2 years and I'd say it was the best decision I ever made. The job market is improving compared to other places I've lived. Overall It's not for everyone but it works for us..
15 upvotes
Austin A.
big facts right here
15 upvotes
Ellie R.
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is nightlife. it's improved dramatically in recent years. Worth doing your research before committing.
15 upvotes
Frank M.
yep
15 upvotes
Brandon R.
lol so true
14 upvotes
Stella White
Public transit is average here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now.
13 upvotes
Janet P.
Used to live on the Eastside side, now on the South side. Completely different vibe. I have mixed feelings honestly.
12 upvotes
Daniel Patel
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
Angel Anderson
Moved here from LA about 2 years ago. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Still getting used to walkability but No regrets on my end..
8 upvotes
Jacob Cook
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 8 years ago from Pittsburgh and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in West. It's hit or miss for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in legal. If you're in retail you might struggle.
People: Generally hit or miss. It took about 13 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like Italian.
No regrets on my end..
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in West. It's hit or miss for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in legal. If you're in retail you might struggle.
People: Generally hit or miss. It took about 13 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like Italian.
No regrets on my end..
7 upvotes
Lucy Long
yep
4 upvotes
Miles T.
Bought a house here in 2022 and the quality of life is solid. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
3 upvotes
landon_runner
Came here for retirement and stayed because it's not perfect but it works for me. The public transit is honestly surprisingly good and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
3 upvotes
Abigail W.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value weather, you'll love it. The school system is genuinely excellent and I've found it's been a really good experience overall. My neighborhood (Fairview) is reasonable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Tampa, be prepared for the culture shock. job market 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.
If you value weather, you'll love it. The school system is genuinely excellent and I've found it's been a really good experience overall. My neighborhood (Fairview) is reasonable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Tampa, be prepared for the culture shock. job market 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.
0 upvotes