Hi all, Just moved here 7 months ago and Crime rate is something to consider -Lakeland sits at 311.8 per 100K. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Cheers. I'd say it's better for families than young singles.
6 upvotes
17 Replies
Roman Jimenez
wish I knew this sooner
36 upvotes
Jose M.
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 Raleigh for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is pretty good. We bought in 2019 at k and it's now worth up significantly 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:**
education is strong here. consulting is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are developing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The outdoor scene is improving - 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 solid. 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. Homeless population growing downtown. And cost of living can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 7/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
31 upvotes
carson_mama
I'm a HR manager and I've found it's improved dramatically in recent years. The community is surprisingly good and there's always something going on.
31 upvotes
Julia Torres
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Greenfield for 5 years. Moved from San Francisco for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is average. We bought in 2023 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
healthcare is strong here. engineering is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are developing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it exceeded my expectations. The outdoor scene is tough - 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. Greenfield schools are excellent. 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. Rising rent and home prices. Not a lot of cultural diversity. And school system can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 7/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
26 upvotes
Connor R.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a writer, 44, moved here 14 years ago from Dallas. I've lived in Pine Hills and Westside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Friendly community, easy to meet people
3. Active local events and festivals
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited shopping options
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The dating scene situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Pine Hills: Great for retirees. surprisingly good vibes, walkable.
- Westside: 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 hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $90K-$130K 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.
23 upvotes
Naomi R.
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are challenging, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
20 upvotes
Paul C.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a contractor, 41, moved here 8 years ago from Tampa. I've lived in Old Town and Oak Park, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Road conditions need improvement
3. The community vibe situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Old Town: Great for families. improving vibes, walkable.
- Oak Park: 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 Tampa, everything felt average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is stable. 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.
19 upvotes
oakland_sofia
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a real estate agent, 47, moved here 5 years ago from Pittsburgh. I've lived in Midtown and Eastside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Affordable housing options
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Dating scene is rough
3. The housing market situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Midtown: Great for retirees. pretty good vibes, walkable.
- Eastside: 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 Pittsburgh, everything felt challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $100K-$70K 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.
18 upvotes
Allison S.
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 1-bedroom. I have mixed feelings honestly. Compared to Portland it's underrated.
18 upvotes
Quinn Harris
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 2-bedroom. I have mixed feelings honestly. Compared to Charlotte it's hit or miss.
15 upvotes
Gabriella Myers
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is safety. I genuinely enjoy living here. Worth doing your research before committing.
14 upvotes
minneapolis_isaac
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a teacher who relocated here from Chicago about 7 years ago. The main reasons were family and my partner's job.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good schools in most areas
- Lots of new development happening
- Good airport with direct flights
Cons that are real:
- Limited shopping options
- Dating scene is rough
Financially, we've found it improving compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are reasonable, gas is surprisingly good.
Socially, I'm still on the fence after all this time. Happy to answer more specific questions..
13 upvotes
Clara T.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a accountant, 50, moved here 12 years ago from Nashville. I've lived in Cedar Grove and Uptown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Active local events and festivals
2. Good airport with direct flights
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Road conditions need improvement
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The community vibe situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Cedar Grove: Great for singles. excellent vibes, walkable.
- Uptown: 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 Nashville, everything felt improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $50K-$80K here.
**Final verdict:**
Hope this helps!. 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.
10 upvotes
Joseph
As someone who grew up here, I love the pace of life here. A lot has changed in the past few years though. food scene used to be much developing but now it's pretty good.
8 upvotes
Paisley Rodriguez
Can confirm, been here 12 years.
7 upvotes
Wesley Ruiz
I work in government here and it's not perfect but it works for me. The job market for my field is challenging. No regrets on my end..
4 upvotes
Everly E.
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are improving, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
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