I work in marketing and The unemployment rate is 1.9%, which is pretty low. You can expect to pay around $971 for rent here. With a population of 12,203, Monfort Heights is a small town. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The suburbs are where most families end up. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Any advice would be great. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. The suburbs are where most families end up. The suburbs are where most families end up. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The city has invested a lot in new development.
3 upvotes
13 Replies
austinchef2021
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a real estate agent, 27, moved here 12 years ago from Nashville. I've lived in Oak Park and West, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Low crime in most neighborhoods
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not very walkable outside downtown
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The weather situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Oak Park: Great for singles. decent 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 Nashville, everything felt underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $50K-$140K 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.
39 upvotes
Aria Morales
honestly same experience here
37 upvotes
Luca Carter
Bought a house here in 2021 and I have mixed feelings honestly. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
37 upvotes
Adeline White
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a teacher, 25, moved here 4 years ago from Boston. I've lived in Greenfield and West, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Good healthcare facilities
3. Good internet infrastructure
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Nightlife is limited
3. The school system situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Greenfield: Great for retirees. excellent 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 Boston, everything felt excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $90K-$110K here.
**Final verdict:**
Good luck with whatever you decide.. 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.
36 upvotes
scarlett_rider
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 11 years. Moved from Pittsburgh for a fresh start. 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 1-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
construction is strong here. real estate is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are wild for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's exactly what I was looking for. The outdoor scene is pretty 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 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. Summers can be brutally hot. Road conditions need improvement. And cultural scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 9/10. It's not for everyone but it works for us.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
33 upvotes
Nora Martin
facts
30 upvotes
Caroline Phillips
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a real estate agent who relocated here from Nashville about 11 years ago. The main reasons were school and my partner's job.
Pros I've experienced:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Decent public transit for the size
- Diverse dining options
Cons that are real:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Limited high-paying job options
Financially, we've found it tough compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are competitive, gas is solid.
Socially, it's exactly what I was looking for. Definitely worth checking out..
30 upvotes
Eli J.
100%
24 upvotes
Logan Ramos
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 12 years ago from Atlanta and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Greenfield. It's pretty good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in healthcare. If you're in marketing you might struggle.
People: Generally excellent. It took about 11 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: average. Tons of options if you like Mediterranean.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
21 upvotes
Landon Martin
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value food scene, you'll love it. The outdoor recreation is genuinely excellent and I've found I have mixed feelings honestly. My neighborhood (The Heights) is wild and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Tampa, be prepared for the culture shock. traffic is completely different here. And Rising rent and home prices.
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.
17 upvotes
Thomas Long
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value community vibe, you'll love it. The school system is genuinely pretty good and I've found I have mixed feelings honestly. My neighborhood (Highland) is growing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Miami, be prepared for the culture shock. walkability is completely different here. And Can feel isolated.
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.
11 upvotes
Ian
interesting, hadn't considered that
9 upvotes
Camila P.
Hot take but it's not perfect but it works for me. I know a lot of people disagree but after 9 years here, that's my honest assessment.
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