Hi all, I'm single, late 50s, and It's a a small town city with about 13,772 people. Household incomes average around $57,765 in On Top of the World. With a population of 13,772, On Top of the World is a small town. Average temperature is around 71--F, so it's warm year-round. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. What do you all think? There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The city has invested a lot in new development. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. The food scene here is surprisingly good.
8 upvotes
14 Replies
Ruby Brooks
spot on
40 upvotes
milwaukeemama2022
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 10 years ago from San Diego and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Lakewood. It's challenging for what you get.
Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in construction. If you're in marketing you might struggle.
People: Generally excellent. It took about 4 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: excellent. Tons of options if you like Indian.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
39 upvotes
Daniel Diaz
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 13 years. Moved from Nashville for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is tough. We bought in 2022 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
legal is strong here. retail is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are affordable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I love the pace of life here. The outdoor scene is improving - 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 surprisingly good. 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. Urban sprawl is real. Can feel isolated. And outdoor recreation can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 9/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
35 upvotes
Ava Allen
My experience has been mostly positive. it exceeded my expectations. The only thing I'd watch out for is walkability. Other than that, It's not for everyone but it works for us..
35 upvotes
Gregory L.
Moved here last year, no regrets.
34 upvotes
Allison Foster
I've been living here for 13 years and I'd say I love the pace of life here. The cultural scene is excellent compared to other places I've lived. Overall Definitely worth checking out..
34 upvotes
Evan Lopez
wish I knew this sooner
34 upvotes
Xavier Martinez
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a marketing manager, 55, moved here 11 years ago from Nashville. I've lived in Sunset and Downtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Nice parks and green spaces
2. Lots of new development happening
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Summers can be brutally hot
3. The pet-friendliness situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Sunset: Great for singles. hit or miss vibes, walkable.
- Downtown: 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 Nashville, everything felt hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $40K-$70K 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.
33 upvotes
Ezra Rogers
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is weather. it's exactly what I was looking for. Worth doing your research before committing.
29 upvotes
John C.
this is the way
28 upvotes
Zoey S.
Moved here from Minneapolis about 5 years ago. it's been a really good experience overall. Still getting used to job market but Feel free to reach out with questions..
26 upvotes
Matthew
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a data analyst, 38, moved here 8 years ago from LA. I've lived in Eastside and Highland, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Nice parks and green spaces
3. Lots of new development happening
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The housing market situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Eastside: Great for singles. excellent 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 hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $40K-$90K 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.
18 upvotes
Emily Rodriguez
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 13 years. Moved from Seattle for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is tough. We bought in 2024 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. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
retail is strong here. marketing 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:**
it exceeded my expectations. The outdoor scene is pretty good - we have biking trails 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 challenging. 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. Traffic during rush hour is rough. Far from beaches/mountains. And outdoor recreation can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 7/10. Definitely worth checking out.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
14 upvotes
Riley Turner
I work in consulting here and it's been a really good experience overall. The job market for my field is challenging. Hope this helps!.
All Countries
