Anyone else feel this way? Homes are going for about $916,600 on average. Crime rate is something to consider -La Palma sits at 109.2 per 100K. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Does this match your experience? Appreciate any input. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that.
4 upvotes
14 Replies
Savannah Robinson
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem excellent.
I've been here 14 years and I love the pace of life here. The thing nobody mentions is walkability. It's wild 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 challenging.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The South side vs the Highland side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Definitely worth checking out..
36 upvotes
Nova Torres
facts
35 upvotes
William Bailey
honestly same experience here
34 upvotes
Alexander Thomas
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value healthcare, you'll love it. The healthcare is genuinely tough and I've found I'm still on the fence after all this time. My neighborhood (South) is growing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from New York, be prepared for the culture shock. safety is completely different here. And Rising rent and home prices.
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.
31 upvotes
Adrian Nelson
hard disagree but ok
26 upvotes
Abigail Price
literally same
25 upvotes
Isaac Lopez
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 3 years. Moved from Charlotte for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is hit or miss. We bought in 2024 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. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
government is strong here. construction 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:**
the quality of life is solid. The outdoor scene is improving - we have national forests 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 pretty 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. Winters are long and cold. Nightlife is limited. And safety can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 6/10. Definitely worth checking out.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
21 upvotes
Silas Taylor
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want dating scene, then yeah this place is great. But if housing market matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
15 upvotes
Connor F.
big facts right here
8 upvotes
Brielle Alvarez
We moved here with our family and the quality of life is solid. Schools in North area are excellent. Kids love it here.
7 upvotes
Mia F.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a teacher, 50, moved here 6 years ago from Charlotte. I've lived in Old Town and Highland, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Low crime in most neighborhoods
2. Nice parks and green spaces
3. Good internet infrastructure
4. The people are generally average - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Rising rent and home prices
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The pet-friendliness situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Old Town: Great for couples. tough 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 Charlotte, everything felt underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $70K-$150K here.
**Final verdict:**
Good luck with whatever you decide.. 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.
7 upvotes
Mia Ross
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 3-bedroom. I genuinely enjoy living here. Compared to Dallas it's pretty good.
5 upvotes
Skylar Scott
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Old Town for 10 years. Moved from Phoenix for family. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is solid. We bought in 2021 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
government is strong here. healthcare is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are stable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The outdoor scene is average - 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. Old Town schools are better than expected. 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. Property taxes are high. Not a lot of cultural diversity. And cost of living can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 6/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
2 upvotes
Abigail D.
Came here for weather and stayed because there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The walkability is honestly solid and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
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