Alright, My family moved here when I was a kid. It's a a smaller city city with about 29,716 people. Homes are going for about $437,100 on average. Crime rate is something to consider -Orchards sits at 342.1 per 100K. The city has invested a lot in new development. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. What do you all think? It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years.
10 upvotes
15 Replies
Hazel Hall
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a social worker, 37, moved here 6 years ago from Phoenix. I've lived in East and South, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
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. Chain restaurants dominate
2. Road conditions need improvement
3. The housing market situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- East: Great for singles. tough vibes, walkable.
- South: 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 Phoenix, everything felt better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $50K-$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.
36 upvotes
Carter Allen
hmm interesting perspective
33 upvotes
Addison T.
I've lived in Cedar Grove for about 9 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I'm still on the fence after all this time. When I first moved here from LA, I was surprised by job market. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Strong job market in several industries
- The walkability scene is better than expected
The downsides:
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
- Road conditions need improvement
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for couples. No regrets on my end..
29 upvotes
Nora Jones
Moved here from Seattle about 5 years ago. the quality of life is solid. Still getting used to pet-friendliness but Definitely worth checking out..
26 upvotes
Alexander Brown
yeah no that's not right
25 upvotes
Eli
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is outdoor recreation. I have mixed feelings honestly. Worth doing your research before committing.
19 upvotes
Ian Harris
Weather-wise, the summers are better than expected and winters are wild. You get used to it after the first year.
18 upvotes
Isla Hughes
I work in finance here and it exceeded my expectations. The job market for my field is underrated. Feel free to reach out with questions..
14 upvotes
Isabella R.
The food scene here is average. Tons of great Italian places. it's improved dramatically in recent years.
14 upvotes
coastal_quinn90
Public transit is average here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it exceeded my expectations.
12 upvotes
Ethan Ruiz
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is cost of living. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Worth doing your research before committing.
12 upvotes
Luke Gonzalez
I've lived in Sunset for about 7 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it was the best decision I ever made. When I first moved here from Dallas, I was surprised by weather. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Nice parks and green spaces
- The pet-friendliness scene is better than expected
The downsides:
- Nightlife is limited
- Dating scene is rough
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for couples. Happy to answer more specific questions..
8 upvotes
Nathan R.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in North for 5 years. Moved from Pittsburgh for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is solid. We bought in 2017 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
manufacturing is strong here. real estate 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:**
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The outdoor scene is underrated - we have hiking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. North 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. Not a lot of cultural diversity. And job market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 7/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
8 upvotes
Brooks D.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a writer, 34, moved here 1 years ago from Tampa. I've lived in Old Town and Lakewood, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Low crime in most neighborhoods
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Urban sprawl is real
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The cultural scene situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Old Town: Great for couples. average vibes, walkable.
- Lakewood: 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 Tampa, everything felt better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $60K-$90K 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.
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