Sign In Register
Camila M. living

The good and bad of living in Montgomery

Curious what people think. I've been here for 5 years and Crime rate is something to consider — Montgomery sits at 522.5 per 100K. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Property taxes are high but you get good services. What neighborhoods would you suggest? I'd say it's better for families than young singles. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting.
2 upvotes

10 Replies

Julian Evans
not my experience at all
38 upvotes
Carson Nguyen
Moved here from Minneapolis about 1 years ago. it's been a really good experience overall. Still getting used to dating scene but Happy to answer more specific questions..
24 upvotes
Wyatt Perez
Came here for family and stayed because it was the best decision I ever made. The food scene is honestly solid and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
24 upvotes
Matthew Brooks
I've lived in Riverside for about 11 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.

I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. When I first moved here from Tampa, I was surprised by cultural scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.

A few things worth knowing:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- The nightlife scene is decent

The downsides:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Limited high-paying job options

Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for young professionals. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
18 upvotes
Ella Phillips
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is walkability. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Worth doing your research before committing.
14 upvotes
Carson Miller
hard disagree but ok
13 upvotes
Nicholas Torres
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.

Background: I'm a chef, 24, moved here 2 years ago from LA. I've lived in Springfield and Pine Hills, and traveled to most parts of the metro.

**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Strong job market in several industries
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. Limited public transit options
2. Rising rent and home prices
3. The traffic situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving

**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Springfield: Great for retirees. average 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 LA, everything felt decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $100K-$100K 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.
11 upvotes
Emilia Sanchez
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 7 years. Moved from Houston for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:

**Housing:**
The market right now is pretty good. We bought in 2019 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.

**Employment:**
real estate is strong here. hospitality 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:**
I love the pace of life here. The outdoor scene is underrated - we have desert landscapes 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 underrated. 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. Limited shopping options. And job market can be frustrating.

**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, 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.
9 upvotes
Evan B.
I've been living here for 13 years and I'd say it's been a really good experience overall. The cost of living is better than expected compared to other places I've lived. Overall It's not for everyone but it works for us..
8 upvotes
Isabella Baker
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.

Background: I'm a accountant, 42, moved here 10 years ago from Minneapolis. I've lived in Fairview and South, and traveled to most parts of the metro.

**What I love:**
1. Decent public transit for the size
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Active local events and festivals
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year

**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Winters are long and cold
3. The pet-friendliness situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving

**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Fairview: Great for families. solid vibes, walkable.
- South: 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 Minneapolis, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $70K-$140K here.

**Final verdict:**
Happy to answer more specific 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.
8 upvotes
← Back to Montgomery Community