Hello, The unemployment rate is 3.2%, which is pretty low. The suburbs are where most families end up. What are your go-to spots? Property taxes are high but you get good services. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much.
17 upvotes
15 Replies
Hunter Sanders
We moved here with our family and it's been a really good experience overall. Schools in South area are underrated. Kids love it here.
32 upvotes
Naomi Lopez
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a teacher, 44, moved here 8 years ago from Atlanta. I've lived in North and Riverside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Good schools in most areas
3. Good healthcare facilities
4. The people are generally average - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Can feel isolated
3. The community vibe situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- North: Great for retirees. pretty good 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 Atlanta, everything felt challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $70K-$90K here.
**Final verdict:**
Definitely worth checking out.. 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.
31 upvotes
maverick_chef
I work in real estate here and it's not perfect but it works for me. The job market for my field is surprisingly good. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
29 upvotes
Jeremiah Castillo
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 9 years. Moved from Boston for family. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is hit or miss. We bought in 2015 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
marketing is strong here. real estate 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 not perfect but it works for me. The outdoor scene is hit or miss - 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. Cedar Grove schools are surprisingly 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. Road conditions need improvement. And food scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 6/10. Definitely worth checking out.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
26 upvotes
Grace C.
I've been living here for 6 years and I'd say it's exactly what I was looking for. The traffic is pretty good compared to other places I've lived. Overall Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
25 upvotes
Joseph R.
Totally agree!
25 upvotes
Abigail Hall
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a project manager, 53, moved here 4 years ago from Dallas. I've lived in Downtown and South, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Active local events and festivals
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Rising rent and home prices
2. Dating scene is rough
3. The job market situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Downtown: Great for couples. average vibes, walkable.
- South: 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 underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $40K-$120K 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.
24 upvotes
Roman Edwards
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 1 years ago from Dallas and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Highland. It's decent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in consulting. If you're in education you might struggle.
People: Generally pretty good. It took about 13 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: solid. Tons of options if you like sushi.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
23 upvotes
Arianna G.
Weather-wise, the summers are decent and winters are manageable. You get used to it after the first year.
15 upvotes
phoenixlocal2024
Came here for my partner's job and stayed because I'm still on the fence after all this time. The weather is honestly tough and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
11 upvotes
Quinn Miller
I'm a physical therapist and I've found I'm still on the fence after all this time. The community is decent and there's always something going on.
9 upvotes
Luca Ruiz
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a data analyst, 39, moved here 7 years ago from Houston. I've lived in Westside and Meadowbrook, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Strong job market in several industries
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Close to major attractions
4. The people are generally hit or miss - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Nightlife is limited
3. The public transit situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Westside: Great for singles. better than expected vibes, walkable.
- Meadowbrook: 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 Houston, everything felt challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $80K-$110K 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.
5 upvotes
Ryan Parker
I've been living here for 2 years and I'd say the quality of life is solid. The housing market is hit or miss compared to other places I've lived. Overall Definitely worth checking out..
1 upvotes
Oliver H.
Came here for school and stayed because I love the pace of life here. The housing market is honestly pretty good and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
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