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Robert Martinez
moving
Couple moving to Orange from out of state
First post here. Anyone in a similar situation? It's a very car-dependent city, for better or wors
19 upvotes
10 Replies
Isabella R.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 7 years ago from Phoenix and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in North. It's hit or miss for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in construction. If you're in real estate you might struggle.
People: Generally tough. It took about 14 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: excellent. Tons of options if you like Thai.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in North. It's hit or miss for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in construction. If you're in real estate you might struggle.
People: Generally tough. It took about 14 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: excellent. Tons of options if you like Thai.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
40 upvotes
Autumn Morgan
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a nurse, 36, moved here 1 years ago from Raleigh. I've lived in North and Meadowbrook, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Nice parks and green spaces
2. Good healthcare facilities
3. Good internet infrastructure
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Urban sprawl is real
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The school system situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- North: Great for remote workers. surprisingly good vibes, walkable.
- Meadowbrook: 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 Raleigh, everything felt excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $40K-$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.
Background: I'm a nurse, 36, moved here 1 years ago from Raleigh. I've lived in North and Meadowbrook, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Nice parks and green spaces
2. Good healthcare facilities
3. Good internet infrastructure
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Urban sprawl is real
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The school system situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- North: Great for remote workers. surprisingly good vibes, walkable.
- Meadowbrook: 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 Raleigh, everything felt excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $40K-$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.
39 upvotes
Asher Hughes
Came here for a fresh start and stayed because it's been a really good experience overall. The weather is honestly better than expected and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
39 upvotes
Theodore Brooks
thanks for sharing
32 upvotes
Peyton Morales
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem average.
I've been here 1 years and it's improved dramatically in recent years. The thing nobody mentions is community vibe. It's growing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the pet-friendliness is legit. And if you're into skiing, this place is tough.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The West side vs the Riverside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
I've been here 1 years and it's improved dramatically in recent years. The thing nobody mentions is community vibe. It's growing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the pet-friendliness is legit. And if you're into skiing, this place is tough.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The West side vs the Riverside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
31 upvotes
bostonvibes2021
Used to live on the Eastside side, now on the Fairview side. Completely different vibe. I love the pace of life here.
29 upvotes
Violet Torres
Moved here last year, no regrets.
20 upvotes
Lucy Edwards
literally same
17 upvotes
Mateo 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 9 years. Moved from Pittsburgh for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is better than expected. We bought in 2019 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. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
construction is strong here. engineering is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are developing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I love the pace of life here. The outdoor scene is better than expected - 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 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. Chain restaurants dominate. Dating scene is rough. And pet-friendliness 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.
I've been in Cedar Grove for 9 years. Moved from Pittsburgh for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is better than expected. We bought in 2019 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. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
construction is strong here. engineering is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are developing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I love the pace of life here. The outdoor scene is better than expected - 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 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. Chain restaurants dominate. Dating scene is rough. And pet-friendliness 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.
17 upvotes
Aaron Reyes
Moved here from Houston about 1 years ago. I have mixed feelings honestly. Still getting used to public transit but Hope this helps!.
9 upvotes