Hey folks, I grew up here but left for a while. Homes are going for about $535,000 on average. The median home value here is around $535,000, which is pretty steep. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much.
2 upvotes
15 Replies
sacramento_arianna
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a teacher, 26, moved here 15 years ago from LA. I've lived in East and Highland, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Close to major attractions
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally average - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Chain restaurants dominate
2. Limited shopping options
3. The healthcare situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- East: Great for singles. hit or miss vibes, walkable.
- Highland: 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 excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $100K-$100K 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.
39 upvotes
Alice Sanders
hmm interesting perspective
35 upvotes
Hannah Lopez
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is food scene. the quality of life is solid. Worth doing your research before committing.
27 upvotes
Olivia
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are pretty good, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
24 upvotes
Grace Anderson
preach
15 upvotes
austinrunner2020
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.
14 upvotes
Grayson Wilson
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value dating scene, you'll love it. The housing market is genuinely better than expected and I've found I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. My neighborhood (Old Town) is growing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from San Francisco, be prepared for the culture shock. food scene is completely different here. And Property taxes are high.
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.
14 upvotes
Ronald M.
Used to live on the The Heights side, now on the South side. Completely different vibe. the quality of life is solid.
12 upvotes
savannah_dude
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a project manager who relocated here from Boston about 12 years ago. The main reasons were quality of life and my partner's job.
Pros I've experienced:
- Decent public transit for the size
- Lots of new development happening
- Good airport with direct flights
Cons that are real:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Not very walkable outside downtown
Financially, we've found it challenging compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are affordable, gas is tough.
Socially, I have mixed feelings honestly. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
9 upvotes
Elizabeth Roberts
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a nurse, 37, moved here 5 years ago from Denver. I've lived in Old Town and Sunset, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good internet infrastructure
2. Strong sense of community
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not a lot of cultural diversity
2. Limited shopping options
3. The healthcare situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Old Town: Great for couples. underrated vibes, walkable.
- Sunset: 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 Denver, everything felt tough. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $60K-$100K 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.
9 upvotes
Everly E.
Used to live on the Pine Hills side, now on the Fairview side. Completely different vibe. it's improved dramatically in recent years.
6 upvotes
Camila
Moved here from Salt Lake City about 6 years ago. I have mixed feelings honestly. Still getting used to food scene but Happy to answer more specific questions..
6 upvotes
Jacob
it depends on the neighborhood
4 upvotes
Hunter Anderson
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 4 years. Moved from San Francisco for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is improving. We bought in 2019 at k and it's now worth about the same 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:**
tech is strong here. government 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:**
the quality of life is solid. The outdoor scene is underrated - we have state parks 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 improving. 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. Property taxes are high. And food scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 6/10. Would recommend to anyone considering it.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
2 upvotes
tulsaheart2025
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value school system, you'll love it. The community vibe is genuinely tough and I've found I have mixed feelings honestly. My neighborhood (Greenfield) is growing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from San Francisco, be prepared for the culture shock. outdoor recreation is completely different here. And Property taxes are high.
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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