First post here. Average temperature is around 71°F, so it's warm year-round. Median household income is $61,454, which feels about average for the area. It's a a mid-size city city with about 122K people. Household incomes average around $61,454 in Lafayette. Crime rate is something to consider — Lafayette sits at 524.1 per 100K. The suburbs are where most families end up. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. It's changing fast — some good, some not so much. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus.
Pros:
- Growing food scene
- Diverse community
- Active local events
Cons:
- Limited public transit
- Hot summers
- Cold winters
- Chain restaurants dominate
Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The weather takes some getting used to. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The weather takes some getting used to. The weather takes some getting used to. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. It's changing fast — some good, some not so much. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods.
53 upvotes
17 Replies
Ethan Scott
Bought a house here in 2016 and it's improved dramatically in recent years. Property values have gone up significantly since then.
40 upvotes
Reagan Walker
literally same
36 upvotes
Ezra
haha yep pretty much
35 upvotes
Aiden M.
Can confirm, been here 4 years.
34 upvotes
Evan Jackson
facts
34 upvotes
David Johnson
Moved here from Minneapolis about 8 years ago. I genuinely enjoy living here. Still getting used to outdoor recreation but Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
33 upvotes
kc_avery
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Definitely worth checking out..
30 upvotes
Xavier M.
Public transit is underrated here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's been a really good experience overall.
29 upvotes
Grayson
nah I disagree
24 upvotes
stlsoul2024
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 5 years. Moved from Atlanta for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is improving. We bought in 2016 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
tech is strong here. consulting 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 was the best decision I ever made. The outdoor scene is better than expected - 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. Cedar Grove schools are decent. 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 entertainment options. And food scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 6/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
22 upvotes
desert_ella26
Used to live on the Sunset side, now on the Uptown side. Completely different vibe. the quality of life is solid.
21 upvotes
Ian Adams
Moved here from Baltimore about 1 years ago. it's been a really good experience overall. Still getting used to dating scene but It's not for everyone but it works for us..
16 upvotes
Bruce P.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 4 years ago from Phoenix and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Old Town. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in manufacturing. If you're in healthcare you might struggle.
People: Generally underrated. It took about 13 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: excellent. Tons of options if you like Korean.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
15 upvotes
Miles Kelly
Weather-wise, the summers are surprisingly good and winters are developing. You get used to it after the first year.
13 upvotes
Emma M.
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 2-bedroom. it's been a really good experience overall. Compared to New York it's pretty good.
12 upvotes
philly_jordan
I've been living here for 14 years and I'd say it exceeded my expectations. The dating scene is excellent compared to other places I've lived. Overall Happy to answer more specific questions..
9 upvotes
Gabriella Myers
Moved here from Boston about 7 years ago. it was the best decision I ever made. Still getting used to safety but Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
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