Hi all, My partner and I are Homes are going for about $472,600 on average. It's a a mid-size city city with about 101K people. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The food scene here is surprisingly good. What would you do? There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The weather takes some getting used to.
0 upvotes
3 Replies
Rylee
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a real estate agent, 53, moved here 8 years ago from Miami. I've lived in Maple Ridge and Pine Hills, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Good schools in most areas
3. Low crime in most neighborhoods
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Limited shopping options
3. The walkability situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Maple Ridge: Great for young professionals. underrated vibes, walkable.
- Pine Hills: 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 Miami, everything felt tough. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $100K-$150K here.
**Final verdict:**
Would recommend to anyone considering it.. 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.
40 upvotes
lalocal2026
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 1 years. Moved from Charlotte for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is tough. We bought in 2020 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. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
marketing is strong here. tech 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:**
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The outdoor scene is surprisingly good - we have hiking trails 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. Limited public transit options. Rising rent and home prices. And public transit can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 9/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
28 upvotes
Sarah M.
As someone who grew up here, I genuinely enjoy living here. A lot has changed in the past few years though. school system used to be much affordable but now it's challenging.
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