Been meaning to ask this. My family moved here when I was a kid. It's a a small town city with about 1,818 people. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable.
12 upvotes
15 Replies
Bennett Phillips
Public transit is solid here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now.
39 upvotes
Charlotte Evans
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value dating scene, you'll love it. The pet-friendliness is genuinely hit or miss and I've found it's not perfect but it works for me. My neighborhood (South) is affordable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Boston, be prepared for the culture shock. nightlife 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.
39 upvotes
Asher Jackson
Weather-wise, the summers are improving and winters are growing. You get used to it after the first year.
30 upvotes
Jaxon Ramirez
hmm interesting perspective
29 upvotes
Julia
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a pharmacist who relocated here from Pittsburgh about 2 years ago. The main reasons were my partner's job and my partner's job.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
- Far from beaches/mountains
Financially, we've found it improving compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are pricey, gas is improving.
Socially, it's improved dramatically in recent years. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
25 upvotes
Isabelle Johnson
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a marketing manager, 40, moved here 6 years ago from San Diego. I've lived in Fairview and Downtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Affordable housing options
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally hit or miss - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Nightlife is limited
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The traffic situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Fairview: Great for couples. excellent vibes, walkable.
- Downtown: 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 San Diego, everything felt solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $100K-$140K here.
**Final verdict:**
No regrets on my end.. 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.
25 upvotes
urban_hudson57
Totally agree!
25 upvotes
Elena M.
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 2-bedroom. the quality of life is solid. Compared to Pittsburgh it's hit or miss.
24 upvotes
Eliana Morris
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a chef, 41, moved here 15 years ago from Boston. I've lived in Sunset and Downtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Urban sprawl is real
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The school system situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Sunset: Great for families. excellent vibes, walkable.
- Downtown: 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 underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $80K-$120K here.
**Final verdict:**
Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. 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.
23 upvotes
Adam Cox
literally same
16 upvotes
Sophia Long
I work in construction here and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The job market for my field is challenging. Good luck with whatever you decide..
14 upvotes
Victoria C.
honestly same experience here
12 upvotes
Aubrey
I've lived in Cedar Grove for about 2 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I love the pace of life here. When I first moved here from Raleigh, I was surprised by job market. 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 community vibe scene is excellent
The downsides:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Rising rent and home prices
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for remote workers. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
11 upvotes
Julia Morgan
Bought a house here in 2015 and the quality of life is solid. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
9 upvotes
jayden_vibes
Bought a house here in 2019 and it exceeded my expectations. Property values have gone about the same since then.
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