Hey everyone, Born and raised here. The median home value here is around $391,100, which seems about average. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. What do you all think?
2 upvotes
15 Replies
Janet B.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a writer, 32, moved here 13 years ago from Pittsburgh. I've lived in Midtown and Uptown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Strong job market in several industries
2. Affordable housing options
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Nightlife is limited
2. Limited high-paying job options
3. The school system situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Midtown: Great for families. excellent vibes, walkable.
- Uptown: 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 Pittsburgh, everything felt tough. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $40K-$100K 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.
38 upvotes
Roman
wish I knew this sooner
33 upvotes
vegasdude2022
I've been living here for 8 years and I'd say it's exactly what I was looking for. The cultural scene is better than expected compared to other places I've lived. Overall Feel free to reach out with questions..
31 upvotes
Stella Clark
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 14 years ago from Tampa and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Greenfield. It's surprisingly good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in legal. If you're in legal you might struggle.
People: Generally tough. It took about 8 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: improving. Tons of options if you like craft beer.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
30 upvotes
Oliver Jackson
100%
29 upvotes
Piper Sanders
big facts right here
28 upvotes
Steven T.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I love the pace of life here. Internet is underrated in most areas.
27 upvotes
Willow Ruiz
100%
19 upvotes
Thomas Martinez
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 3 years. Moved from Baltimore for work. 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 significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
healthcare is strong here. consulting is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are pricey for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's been a really good experience overall. The outdoor scene is decent - 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 improving. 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. Property taxes are high. Road conditions need improvement. And safety can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 6/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
15 upvotes
Logan Wood
Bought a house here in 2020 and I'm still on the fence after all this time. Property values have gone about the same since then.
15 upvotes
Samuel Hill
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I'm still on the fence after all this time. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
13 upvotes
Arianna P.
+1
12 upvotes
Madelyn Cook
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a social worker who relocated here from Nashville about 9 years ago. The main reasons were family and weather.
Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Close to major attractions
Cons that are real:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Far from beaches/mountains
Financially, we've found it improving compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are pricey, gas is solid.
Socially, it's exactly what I was looking for. Happy to answer more specific questions..
11 upvotes
kc_vivian
exactly what I was thinking
9 upvotes
John Ortiz
The food scene here is challenging. Tons of great Korean places. the quality of life is solid.
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