First post here. Just moved here 16 months ago and The median home value here is around $270,600, which seems about average. Poverty rate is 13.2%, which is around average. Crime rate is something to consider -North Lauderdale sits at 513.3 per 100K. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The suburbs are where most families end up. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. The weather takes some getting used to. Night life is decent if you know the right spots.
24 upvotes
29 Replies
Brielle R.
couldn't agree more
36 upvotes
Isaiah Hall
following this thread
36 upvotes
Owen
haha yep pretty much
35 upvotes
Adrian C.
Came here for school and stayed because it's exactly what I was looking for. The traffic is honestly decent and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
31 upvotes
Sofia Wood
Weather-wise, the summers are tough and winters are competitive. You get used to it after the first year.
30 upvotes
Jaxon Murphy
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a contractor who relocated here from Chicago about 13 years ago. The main reasons were cost of living and a fresh start.
Pros I've experienced:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Good airport with direct flights
- Diverse dining options
Cons that are real:
- Limited public transit options
- Homeless population growing downtown
Financially, we've found it challenging compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are affordable, gas is decent.
Socially, it's exactly what I was looking for. Good luck with whatever you decide..
28 upvotes
Jack Wright
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 10 years ago from Raleigh and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Highland. It's decent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in tech. If you're in engineering you might struggle.
People: Generally improving. It took about 9 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like sushi.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
27 upvotes
Luna T.
glad someone said it
27 upvotes
Savannah R.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a electrician, 25, moved here 14 years ago from Austin. I've lived in Riverside and Maple Ridge, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good healthcare facilities
2. Affordable housing options
3. Good airport with direct flights
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. Not very walkable outside downtown
3. The traffic situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Riverside: Great for young professionals. decent vibes, walkable.
- Maple Ridge: 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 underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $60K-$80K here.
**Final verdict:**
Hope this helps!. 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
Ryan E.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem excellent.
I've been here 4 years and it's improved dramatically in recent years. The thing nobody mentions is walkability. It's wild and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the outdoor recreation is legit. And if you're into golfing, this place is excellent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Old Town side vs the Pine Hills side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
24 upvotes
William
Totally agree!
24 upvotes
Willow Jimenez
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are improving, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
22 upvotes
Alexa Ramirez
been saying this for years
22 upvotes
living_ryan38
honestly same experience here
20 upvotes
Ariana K.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 3 years ago from Minneapolis and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in West. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is manageable right now, especially in healthcare. If you're in healthcare you might struggle.
People: Generally tough. It took about 6 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: better than expected. Tons of options if you like Indian.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
18 upvotes
Hailey Hill
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are challenging, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
17 upvotes
Luca Jimenez
underrated comment
16 upvotes
Eli Miller
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 9 years. Moved from Phoenix for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is improving. We bought in 2015 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
construction is strong here. construction 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 exceeded my expectations. The outdoor scene is solid - we have beaches 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 better than expected. 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. Road conditions need improvement. Far from beaches/mountains. And traffic can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 6/10. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
14 upvotes
Michael Rogers
My experience has been mostly positive. it's improved dramatically in recent years. The only thing I'd watch out for is safety. Other than that, Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
13 upvotes
Riley Cruz
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's been a really good experience overall. Internet is excellent in most areas.
12 upvotes
Grayson Jones
Moved here last year, no regrets.
12 upvotes
Jeremiah Davis
yeah no that's not right
12 upvotes
Audrey Wilson
Used to live on the Greenfield side, now on the Old Town side. Completely different vibe. the quality of life is solid.
12 upvotes
kai_lover
seconding this
12 upvotes
Melissa W.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a writer who relocated here from Charlotte about 15 years ago. The main reasons were my partner's job and retirement.
Pros I've experienced:
- Affordable housing options
- Strong sense of community
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Road conditions need improvement
Financially, we've found it challenging compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are reasonable, gas is underrated.
Socially, I love the pace of life here. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
11 upvotes
Olivia L.
Totally agree!
10 upvotes
Aurora White
spot on
10 upvotes
serenity_rider
noted, appreciate it
2 upvotes
Nicholas C.
Weather-wise, the summers are hit or miss and winters are growing. You get used to it after the first year.
All Countries
