I'm a remote worker and The unemployment rate is 2.6%, which is pretty low. The suburbs are where most families end up. Worth the trade-offs? Thanks for reading. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that.
4 upvotes
20 Replies
Chloe W.
nah I disagree
38 upvotes
Martha C.
nah I disagree
38 upvotes
Nathan A.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a software engineer, 27, moved here 14 years ago from Austin. I've lived in Riverside and Uptown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Active local events and festivals
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Nightlife is limited
2. Limited shopping options
3. The cost of living situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Riverside: Great for singles. average vibes, walkable.
- Uptown: 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 tough. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $90K-$70K here.
**Final verdict:**
Feel free to reach out with 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.
38 upvotes
Hannah W.
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 6 years. Moved from Nashville for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is challenging. We bought in 2017 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**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 pricey for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I'm still on the fence after all this time. The outdoor scene is excellent - 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 hit or miss. 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. Limited public transit options. Far from beaches/mountains. And nightlife can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, 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.
37 upvotes
Cynthia S.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Old Town for 14 years. Moved from San Diego for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is hit or miss. We bought in 2020 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. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
manufacturing is strong here. hospitality 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 surprisingly good - 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. Old Town 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. Chain restaurants dominate. Limited shopping options. And nightlife can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 8/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
32 upvotes
Willow Flores
been saying this for years
31 upvotes
Lillian
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem improving.
I've been here 15 years and it's not perfect but it works for me. The thing nobody mentions is traffic. It's pricey and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the job market is legit. And if you're into surfing, this place is surprisingly good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Sunset side vs the Oak Park side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Hope this helps!.
31 upvotes
Nova P.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Westside for 12 years. Moved from Miami for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is pretty good. We bought in 2020 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
retail is strong here. tech is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are competitive for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The outdoor scene is underrated - we have lakes within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Westside 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. Nightlife is limited. Limited high-paying job options. And community vibe can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 7/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
30 upvotes
Kennedy Rodriguez
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a HR manager, 35, moved here 15 years ago from San Diego. I've lived in South and Pine Hills, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Property taxes are high
2. Road conditions need improvement
3. The food scene situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- South: Great for remote workers. surprisingly good 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 San Diego, everything felt better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $80K-$70K here.
**Final verdict:**
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. 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.
29 upvotes
Aaliyah
My experience has been mostly positive. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The only thing I'd watch out for is safety. Other than that, No regrets on my end..
29 upvotes
David C.
exactly what I was thinking
28 upvotes
Arthur S.
as a local I can confirm
27 upvotes
savannah_mind
thanks for sharing
26 upvotes
Zoey S.
wish I knew this sooner
17 upvotes
dc_noah
underrated comment
11 upvotes
John A.
yep
9 upvotes
local_rylee40
big facts right here
6 upvotes
Lucas S.
not my experience at all
6 upvotes
Hailey Cruz
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a nurse, 28, moved here 9 years ago from Austin. I've lived in Sunset and Maple Ridge, 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 decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Road conditions need improvement
3. The walkability situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Sunset: Great for young professionals. hit or miss 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 excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $50K-$80K here.
**Final verdict:**
It's not for everyone but it works for us.. 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.
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