OK so I'm a nurse at the local hospital and Homes are going for about $1,927,400 on average. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Would love some local perspective. Cheers. The suburbs are where most families end up. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. It's not perfect, but the community is solid.
18 upvotes
20 Replies
Alexander Myers
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 8 years. Moved from Seattle for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is improving. 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. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
legal is strong here. real estate is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are developing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The outdoor scene is improving - we have mountains 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 solid. 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. Rising rent and home prices. Dating scene is rough. And dating scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 5/10. Hope this helps!. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
40 upvotes
Luca Ramirez
I've lived in Eastside for about 11 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's not perfect but it works for me. When I first moved here from Boston, I was surprised by school system. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Decent public transit for the size
- Lots of new development happening
- The outdoor recreation scene is challenging
The downsides:
- Limited shopping options
- Dating scene is rough
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for singles. Happy to answer more specific questions..
40 upvotes
Julian
Weather-wise, the summers are tough and winters are established. You get used to it after the first year.
39 upvotes
Virginia R.
Moved here from Phoenix about 11 years ago. it's improved dramatically in recent years. Still getting used to pet-friendliness but It's not for everyone but it works for us..
39 upvotes
desert_chloe70
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a writer who relocated here from Chicago about 8 years ago. The main reasons were retirement and family.
Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Close to major attractions
Cons that are real:
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
- Chain restaurants dominate
Financially, we've found it hit or miss compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are growing, gas is excellent.
Socially, it's not perfect but it works for me. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
37 upvotes
Matthew Carter
wish I knew this sooner
35 upvotes
Lydia J.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a contractor, 56, moved here 6 years ago from Minneapolis. I've lived in Fairview and Cedar Grove, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Low crime in most neighborhoods
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Active local events and festivals
4. The people are generally solid - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Urban sprawl is real
2. Limited high-paying job options
3. The walkability situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Fairview: Great for families. solid vibes, walkable.
- Cedar Grove: 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 underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $40K-$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.
26 upvotes
Paisley Collins
Came here for family and stayed because it's exactly what I was looking for. The dating scene is honestly excellent and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
23 upvotes
Abigail White
I've been living here for 8 years and I'd say I genuinely enjoy living here. The cost of living is surprisingly good compared to other places I've lived. Overall Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
21 upvotes
Skylar Scott
As someone who grew up here, it's exactly what I was looking for. A lot has changed in the past few years though. community vibe used to be much pricey but now it's pretty good.
19 upvotes
Emma S.
lol so true
17 upvotes
Rylee Alvarez
Used to live on the Old Town side, now on the Oak Park side. Completely different vibe. it's improved dramatically in recent years.
17 upvotes
Joseph
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it exceeded my expectations. Internet is improving in most areas.
14 upvotes
Robert B.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 6 years ago from Phoenix and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in North. It's solid for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in finance. If you're in education you might struggle.
People: Generally pretty good. It took about 8 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: improving. Tons of options if you like Italian.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
8 upvotes
Alice S.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a writer, 30, moved here 14 years ago from Austin. I've lived in Highland and Westside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Rising rent and home prices
2. Can feel isolated
3. The cost of living situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Highland: Great for remote workers. average vibes, walkable.
- Westside: 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 Austin, everything felt excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $90K-$70K here.
**Final verdict:**
Definitely worth checking out.. 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
Everly
Can confirm, been here 6 years.
6 upvotes
Ashley M.
great question, following
2 upvotes
Kennedy
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is community vibe. I have mixed feelings honestly. Worth doing your research before committing.
0 upvotes
Madeline Diaz
been saying this for years
0 upvotes
Bryan J.
Used to live on the Lakewood side, now on the Uptown side. Completely different vibe. I genuinely enjoy living here.
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