Anyone else feel this way? I'm retired and Rent is about $1,292/month for a decent place. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. What neighborhoods would you suggest? People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level.
17 upvotes
30 Replies
Dylan
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a physical therapist, 47, moved here 14 years ago from Miami. I've lived in East and Lakewood, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Four distinct seasons
3. Close to major attractions
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 manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- East: Great for retirees. improving vibes, walkable.
- Lakewood: 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 Miami, everything felt improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $50K-$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.
39 upvotes
Anna H.
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 10 years. Moved from Portland for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is decent. We bought in 2022 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. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
education is strong here. manufacturing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are growing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The outdoor scene is challenging - we have national forests 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 school system can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 9/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
39 upvotes
Clara C.
I've lived in Cedar Grove for about 15 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I'm still on the fence after all this time. When I first moved here from Pittsburgh, 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
- Good schools in most areas
- The healthcare scene is improving
The downsides:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Dating scene is rough
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for young professionals. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
38 upvotes
Evan Stewart
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a chef who relocated here from San Francisco about 7 years ago. The main reasons were a job opportunity and school.
Pros I've experienced:
- Strong job market in several industries
- Affordable housing options
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Nightlife is limited
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Financially, we've found it average compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are developing, gas is improving.
Socially, the quality of life is solid. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
36 upvotes
Leah James
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a lawyer, 41, moved here 11 years ago from New York. I've lived in Maple Ridge and North, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Nice parks and green spaces
2. Good airport with direct flights
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Nightlife is limited
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The safety situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Maple Ridge: Great for young professionals. decent vibes, walkable.
- North: 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 New York, everything felt tough. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $80K-$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.
36 upvotes
Emilia E.
Bought a house here in 2018 and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Property values have gone up significantly since then.
35 upvotes
Ethan Baker
Can confirm, been here 11 years.
31 upvotes
Cooper Garcia
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are tough, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
31 upvotes
tampa_paisley
been saying this for years
31 upvotes
raised_hailey87
The food scene here is excellent. Tons of great Korean places. the quality of life is solid.
31 upvotes
Emmett H.
hmm interesting perspective
29 upvotes
dallas_wyatt
Came here for retirement and stayed because I love the pace of life here. The safety is honestly solid and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
27 upvotes
Matthew
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value job market, you'll love it. The pet-friendliness is genuinely solid and I've found it was the best decision I ever made. My neighborhood (Fairview) is competitive and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Seattle, be prepared for the culture shock. community vibe is completely different here. And Not a lot of cultural diversity.
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.
26 upvotes
William Brown
I'm a accountant and I've found I'm still on the fence after all this time. The community is underrated and there's always something going on.
22 upvotes
Cora
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value school system, you'll love it. The cost of living is genuinely underrated and I've found there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. My neighborhood (Sunset) is stable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from San Francisco, be prepared for the culture shock. nightlife is completely different here. And Summers can be brutally hot.
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
Aiden
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 1 years ago from Portland and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Uptown. It's better than expected for what you get.
Jobs: The market is manageable right now, especially in retail. If you're in manufacturing you might struggle.
People: Generally underrated. It took about 7 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: improving. Tons of options if you like Indian.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
14 upvotes
Charlotte N.
I've lived in Highland for about 14 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 Atlanta, I was surprised by school system. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- The pet-friendliness scene is excellent
The downsides:
- Winters are long and cold
- Urban sprawl is real
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for singles. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
14 upvotes
Dylan Jones
hmm interesting perspective
12 upvotes
gabriella_lover
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's not perfect but it works for me. Internet is pretty good in most areas.
12 upvotes
Avery James
As someone who grew up here, I love the pace of life here. A lot has changed in the past few years though. public transit used to be much reasonable but now it's solid.
11 upvotes
Wesley W.
great question, following
9 upvotes
Dylan R.
Bought a house here in 2022 and the quality of life is solid. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
7 upvotes
Landon Chavez
I've lived in Springfield for about 1 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's exactly what I was looking for. When I first moved here from Raleigh, I was surprised by safety. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Good schools in most areas
- The weather scene is surprisingly good
The downsides:
- Winters are long and cold
- Road conditions need improvement
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for retirees. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
7 upvotes
Landon Wilson
wish I knew this sooner
6 upvotes
Aubrey L.
literally same
3 upvotes
Landon S.
I've lived in Riverside for about 11 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it was the best decision I ever made. When I first moved here from Houston, I was surprised by nightlife. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Diverse dining options
- The nightlife scene is pretty good
The downsides:
- Winters are long and cold
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for families. Definitely worth checking out..
3 upvotes
Ava Cruz
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want cultural scene, then yeah this place is great. But if school system matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
2 upvotes
Santiago
Bought a house here in 2017 and I have mixed feelings honestly. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
1 upvotes
local_samuel94
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want public transit, then yeah this place is great. But if job market matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
1 upvotes
jaxmind2021
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value food scene, you'll love it. The job market is genuinely improving and I've found I genuinely enjoy living here. My neighborhood (West) is established and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Chicago, be prepared for the culture shock. cost of living is completely different here. And Winters are long and cold.
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.
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