Alright, Been living here since 2012. You can expect to pay around $1,460 for rent here. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. What are your go-to spots? Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years.
4 upvotes
26 Replies
Audrey M.
exactly what I was thinking
40 upvotes
Stella C.
I've lived in Cedar Grove for about 14 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I love the pace of life here. When I first moved here from Denver, I was surprised by weather. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Strong job market in several industries
- The cost of living scene is pretty good
The downsides:
- Limited public transit options
- Urban sprawl is real
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for singles. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
39 upvotes
Silas Davis
Hot take but it exceeded my expectations. I know a lot of people disagree but after 14 years here, that's my honest assessment.
37 upvotes
Isabella J.
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 3-bedroom. I genuinely enjoy living here. Compared to Raleigh it's challenging.
37 upvotes
David H.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Highland for 5 years. Moved from Baltimore for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is excellent. We bought in 2017 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
government is strong here. marketing 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 exactly what I was looking for. The outdoor scene is underrated - we have state parks within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Highland schools are underrated. 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. Urban sprawl is real. Homeless population growing downtown. And pet-friendliness can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 9/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
32 upvotes
Adam Davis
This.
31 upvotes
Julia W.
as a local I can confirm
30 upvotes
Debra S.
Bought a house here in 2018 and it's been a really good experience overall. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
29 upvotes
Austin
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 12 years ago from Salt Lake City and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Old Town. It's underrated for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in engineering. If you're in real estate you might struggle.
People: Generally surprisingly good. It took about 4 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: decent. Tons of options if you like Mediterranean.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
28 upvotes
Kai Jackson
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a electrician, 30, moved here 11 years ago from San Francisco. I've lived in East and West, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Low crime in most neighborhoods
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited high-paying job options
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The traffic situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- East: Great for singles. improving vibes, walkable.
- West: 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 San Francisco, everything felt excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $60K-$80K here.
**Final verdict:**
Happy to answer more specific 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.
26 upvotes
Bella Scott
This.
25 upvotes
Laura R.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Midtown for 15 years. Moved from Raleigh for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is improving. 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 4-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
hospitality is strong here. retail 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:**
I genuinely enjoy living here. The outdoor scene is underrated - 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. Midtown 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. Nightlife is limited. Road conditions need improvement. And housing market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 5/10. It's not for everyone but it works for us.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
21 upvotes
Quinn
following this thread
21 upvotes
Jacob Cooper
preach
20 upvotes
Melanie Alvarez
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value walkability, you'll love it. The community vibe is genuinely challenging and I've found I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. My neighborhood (Greenfield) is growing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Portland, be prepared for the culture shock. dating scene is completely different here. And Limited public transit options.
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.
19 upvotes
Sebastian Anderson
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are better than expected, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
19 upvotes
Grace C.
I work in hospitality here and it's exactly what I was looking for. The job market for my field is challenging. No regrets on my end..
15 upvotes
Angel Jackson
Moved here from San Diego about 6 years ago. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Still getting used to nightlife but Happy to answer more specific questions..
15 upvotes
Daniel Myers
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a project manager who relocated here from Portland about 4 years ago. The main reasons were family and cost of living.
Pros I've experienced:
- Lots of new development happening
- Diverse dining options
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Bugs and humidity in summer
- Far from beaches/mountains
Financially, we've found it hit or miss compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are affordable, gas is solid.
Socially, I have mixed feelings honestly. Happy to answer more specific questions..
14 upvotes
Lily J.
it depends on the neighborhood
11 upvotes
Kayla W.
Totally agree!
11 upvotes
Theodore G.
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are excellent, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
10 upvotes
bella_vibes
100%
9 upvotes
Daniel Brown
Moved here last year, no regrets.
7 upvotes
Autumn Ruiz
+1
1 upvotes
Donna G.
I work in retail here and the quality of life is solid. The job market for my field is tough. No regrets on my end..
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