Hi all, Average temperature is around 74°F, so it's warm year-round. Rent is about $1,487/month for a decent place. Median household income is $67,521, which feels about average for the area. You can expect to pay around $1,487 for rent here. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Am I overthinking this? It's not perfect, but the community is solid. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood.
41 upvotes
19 Replies
Caleb Johnson
as a local I can confirm
36 upvotes
Sarah
Moved here last year, no regrets.
27 upvotes
Eli Mendoza
As someone who grew up here, I have mixed feelings honestly. A lot has changed in the past few years though. traffic used to be much affordable but now it's better than expected.
24 upvotes
Wyatt Wright
As someone who grew up here, I'm still on the fence after all this time. A lot has changed in the past few years though. community vibe used to be much established but now it's surprisingly good.
21 upvotes
Kaylee Parker
We moved here with our family and the quality of life is solid. Schools in Eastside area are surprisingly good. Kids love it here.
21 upvotes
Kayden Ross
Bought a house here in 2023 and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Property values have gone up significantly since then.
17 upvotes
Leonardo Nguyen
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a social worker, 32, moved here 5 years ago from Phoenix. I've lived in North and Springfield, 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. Four distinct seasons
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Property taxes are high
3. The cultural scene situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- North: Great for retirees. improving vibes, walkable.
- Springfield: 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 underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $40K-$100K here.
**Final verdict:**
Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. 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.
17 upvotes
Connor D.
I work in real estate here and it's not perfect but it works for me. The job market for my field is better than expected. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
16 upvotes
Adam F.
Bought a house here in 2015 and it's improved dramatically in recent years. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
15 upvotes
Addison Hill
couldn't agree more
13 upvotes
Savannah James
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want safety, then yeah this place is great. But if pet-friendliness matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
11 upvotes
Eliana Morris
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 1 years ago from Charlotte and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in The Heights. It's hit or miss for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in hospitality. If you're in construction you might struggle.
People: Generally solid. It took about 15 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: excellent. Tons of options if you like Korean.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
10 upvotes
Thomas Williams
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 7 years. Moved from New York for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is surprisingly good. 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. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
legal is strong here. marketing 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:**
it exceeded my expectations. The outdoor scene is decent - 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 pet-friendliness can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 5/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
10 upvotes
Jacob Garcia
not my experience at all
8 upvotes
Jose Wright
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is public transit. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Worth doing your research before committing.
7 upvotes
sunny_nicholas44
glad someone said it
7 upvotes
Joshua Phillips
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want weather, then yeah this place is great. But if traffic matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
6 upvotes
Carson Howard
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 10 years ago from Seattle and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Fairview. It's underrated for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in manufacturing. If you're in manufacturing you might struggle.
People: Generally pretty good. It took about 6 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: solid. Tons of options if you like sushi.
No regrets on my end..
4 upvotes
Hailey
Used to live on the Fairview side, now on the Meadowbrook side. Completely different vibe. I love the pace of life here.
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