Been meaning to ask this. The unemployment rate is 6.0%, which is about average. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Would love some local perspective. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much.
29 upvotes
21 Replies
Xavier L.
it depends on the neighborhood
40 upvotes
Douglas R.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it was the best decision I ever made. Internet is improving in most areas.
40 upvotes
miamirunner2022
following this thread
40 upvotes
Cynthia W.
Bought a house here in 2016 and I love the pace of life here. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
39 upvotes
Autumn Rivera
Public transit is underrated here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's been a really good experience overall.
36 upvotes
Avery Jimenez
following this thread
33 upvotes
Nathan Nguyen
I work in finance here and it was the best decision I ever made. The job market for my field is tough. Definitely worth checking out..
33 upvotes
kc_brooklyn
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. the quality of life is solid. Internet is underrated in most areas.
32 upvotes
Emma Howard
Moved here last year, no regrets.
24 upvotes
Thomas Evans
I've been living here for 13 years and I'd say it exceeded my expectations. The food scene is improving compared to other places I've lived. Overall Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
23 upvotes
Everly Howard
Moved here from Nashville about 13 years ago. I have mixed feelings honestly. Still getting used to traffic but Would recommend to anyone considering it..
19 upvotes
Leah Morris
interesting, hadn't considered that
16 upvotes
Vivian M.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a lawyer, 40, moved here 11 years ago from Houston. I've lived in Pine Hills and Greenfield, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Nice parks and green spaces
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited high-paying job options
2. Chain restaurants dominate
3. The walkability situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Pine Hills: Great for young professionals. underrated vibes, walkable.
- Greenfield: 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 excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $50K-$140K 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.
14 upvotes
Adeline
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is food scene. the quality of life is solid. Worth doing your research before committing.
14 upvotes
Lydia J.
I've lived in Cedar Grove for about 4 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
the quality of life is solid. When I first moved here from Nashville, I was surprised by healthcare. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Decent public transit for the size
- The outdoor recreation scene is surprisingly good
The downsides:
- Property taxes are high
- Far from beaches/mountains
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for young professionals. Happy to answer more specific questions..
13 upvotes
Aurora Bailey
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 12 years ago from Dallas and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Springfield. It's better than expected for what you get.
Jobs: The market is reasonable right now, especially in marketing. If you're in healthcare you might struggle.
People: Generally better than expected. It took about 13 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: underrated. Tons of options if you like BBQ.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
10 upvotes
Genesis
Public transit is hit or miss here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's exactly what I was looking for.
9 upvotes
Addison B.
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is healthcare. it's been a really good experience overall. Worth doing your research before committing.
6 upvotes
Clara Cox
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Internet is average in most areas.
4 upvotes
Colton Collins
preach
3 upvotes
Isabelle Walker
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it exceeded my expectations. Definitely worth checking out..
All Countries
