Curious what people think. Born and raised here. Homes are going for about $640,600 on average. You can expect to pay around $1,769 for rent here. With a population of 27,489, Lemon Grove is a smaller city. Average temperature is around 63--F, so the weather is moderate. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Let me know your thoughts. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Property taxes are high but you get good services. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The suburbs are where most families end up. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Property taxes are high but you get good services. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood.
26 upvotes
30 Replies
charlottesoul2026
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Internet is hit or miss in most areas.
40 upvotes
Ezra Gray
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is pet-friendliness. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Worth doing your research before committing.
38 upvotes
proud_parker36
underrated comment
38 upvotes
Brielle Wright
bump
36 upvotes
Isaac Ward
couldn't agree more
35 upvotes
Isaiah Adams
We moved here with our family and it exceeded my expectations. Schools in Meadowbrook area are surprisingly good. Kids love it here.
34 upvotes
Charles W.
Used to live on the Meadowbrook side, now on the Midtown side. Completely different vibe. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now.
34 upvotes
Aubrey R.
spot on
34 upvotes
Alexa
interesting, hadn't considered that
33 upvotes
Kai Turner
I work in real estate here and I love the pace of life here. The job market for my field is solid. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
33 upvotes
lucas_girl
literally same
32 upvotes
Kinsley R.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value outdoor recreation, you'll love it. The dating scene is genuinely surprisingly good and I've found it's exactly what I was looking for. My neighborhood (Eastside) is pricey and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Tampa, be prepared for the culture shock. safety is completely different here. And Summers can be brutally hot.
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
Easton Foster
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Eastside for 3 years. Moved from Tampa for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is pretty good. We bought in 2018 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
real estate is strong here. legal is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are established for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's been a really good experience overall. The outdoor scene is tough - 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. Eastside schools are hit or miss. 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. Traffic during rush hour is rough. Can feel isolated. And housing market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 5/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
30 upvotes
Oliver G.
good to know, thanks
28 upvotes
Brooklyn Martin
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value weather, you'll love it. The food scene is genuinely better than expected and I've found there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. My neighborhood (Pine Hills) is pricey and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Denver, be prepared for the culture shock. cultural scene is completely different here. And Traffic during rush hour is rough.
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.
27 upvotes
Angel C.
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 4-bedroom. it was the best decision I ever made. Compared to Pittsburgh it's challenging.
26 upvotes
loving_emilia26
Hot take but I'm still on the fence after all this time. I know a lot of people disagree but after 9 years here, that's my honest assessment.
24 upvotes
Willow Miller
I've lived in Old Town for about 15 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I genuinely enjoy living here. When I first moved here from Minneapolis, I was surprised by safety. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Good internet infrastructure
- The dating scene scene is pretty good
The downsides:
- Chain restaurants dominate
- Can feel isolated
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for couples. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
22 upvotes
audrey_mind
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a data analyst who relocated here from Atlanta about 1 years ago. The main reasons were a job opportunity and work.
Pros I've experienced:
- Affordable housing options
- Diverse dining options
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Limited high-paying job options
- Property taxes are high
Financially, we've found it challenging compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are competitive, gas is solid.
Socially, it exceeded my expectations. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
21 upvotes
Willow
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a social worker who relocated here from San Francisco about 3 years ago. The main reasons were school and school.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Active local events and festivals
- Close to major attractions
Cons that are real:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Dating scene is rough
Financially, we've found it excellent compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are manageable, gas is tough.
Socially, it was the best decision I ever made. Happy to answer more specific questions..
19 upvotes
sunny_avery32
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. the quality of life is solid. Internet is average in most areas.
19 upvotes
Emma J.
I've been living here for 2 years and I'd say there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The nightlife is tough compared to other places I've lived. Overall Definitely worth checking out..
17 upvotes
Madeline Lewis
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a HR manager who relocated here from Denver about 10 years ago. The main reasons were cost of living and family.
Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Decent public transit for the size
Cons that are real:
- Chain restaurants dominate
- Limited shopping options
Financially, we've found it pretty good compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are established, gas is pretty good.
Socially, it's been a really good experience overall. Good luck with whatever you decide..
15 upvotes
Lillian Ward
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem hit or miss.
I've been here 10 years and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The thing nobody mentions is nightlife. It's established and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cultural scene is legit. And if you're into skiing, this place is decent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Riverside side vs the Oak Park side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
13 upvotes
Evelyn Cook
Moved here from Minneapolis about 2 years ago. I love the pace of life here. Still getting used to traffic but Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
10 upvotes
Samuel Foster
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a social worker who relocated here from Boston about 5 years ago. The main reasons were a fresh start and cost of living.
Pros I've experienced:
- Strong job market in several industries
- Close to major attractions
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Limited public transit options
- Property taxes are high
Financially, we've found it solid compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are affordable, gas is improving.
Socially, I'm still on the fence after all this time. Feel free to reach out with questions..
9 upvotes
Emmett White
Moved here from Baltimore about 6 years ago. it's improved dramatically in recent years. Still getting used to pet-friendliness but Good luck with whatever you decide..
9 upvotes
Robert Watson
Moved here last year, no regrets.
7 upvotes
Logan Cooper
I'm a project manager and I've found it exceeded my expectations. The community is surprisingly good and there's always something going on.
4 upvotes
Daniel A.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a project manager, 43, moved here 9 years ago from Portland. I've lived in Eastside and Springfield, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Urban sprawl is real
2. Property taxes are high
3. The nightlife situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Eastside: Great for young professionals. excellent vibes, walkable.
- Springfield: 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 Portland, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $40K-$150K 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.
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