I've been here for 19 years and You can expect to pay around $1,747 for rent here. Average temperature is around 72--F, so it's warm year-round. Rent is about $1,747/month for a decent place. Crime rate is something to consider -Palm Coast sits at 170.4 per 100K. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. What would you do? Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. The city has invested a lot in new development. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The suburbs are where most families end up. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. It's not perfect, but the community is solid.
26 upvotes
27 Replies
Donald L.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value outdoor recreation, you'll love it. The weather is genuinely tough and I've found it's not perfect but it works for me. My neighborhood (East) is competitive and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Raleigh, be prepared for the culture shock. walkability is completely different here. And Road conditions need improvement.
My advice would be to visit for at least a week before committing. Rent first, don't buy. And explore multiple neighborhoods - they're all different.
38 upvotes
tucsonfan2024
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 1 years. Moved from Pittsburgh for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is pretty good. We bought in 2016 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. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**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 stable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's not perfect but it works for me. The outdoor scene is surprisingly good - 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 excellent. 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. Bugs and humidity in summer. And traffic can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 8/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
37 upvotes
Madeline Diaz
Hot take but I'm still on the fence after all this time. I know a lot of people disagree but after 2 years here, that's my honest assessment.
35 upvotes
Paisley Howard
it depends on the neighborhood
32 upvotes
Isaiah Davis
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: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Meadowbrook. It's tough for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in manufacturing. If you're in marketing you might struggle.
People: Generally decent. It took about 17 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: better than expected. Tons of options if you like Asian.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
28 upvotes
Gloria H.
interesting, hadn't considered that
27 upvotes
Ruby Roberts
hmm interesting perspective
26 upvotes
Joshua P.
As someone who grew up here, it exceeded my expectations. A lot has changed in the past few years though. outdoor recreation used to be much established but now it's solid.
26 upvotes
Kennedy W.
I work in retail here and it was the best decision I ever made. The job market for my field is excellent. No regrets on my end..
26 upvotes
Karen K.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a real estate agent who relocated here from Phoenix about 3 years ago. The main reasons were my partner's job and quality of life.
Pros I've experienced:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Good healthcare facilities
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Homeless population growing downtown
Financially, we've found it hit or miss compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are reasonable, gas is challenging.
Socially, it's been a really good experience overall. Definitely worth checking out..
25 upvotes
Sadie M.
bump
24 upvotes
Amelia Stewart
big facts right here
23 upvotes
Jeremiah Patel
Moved here last year, no regrets.
21 upvotes
sofia_living
Came here for work and stayed because it's exactly what I was looking for. The traffic is honestly improving and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
21 upvotes
Isabella B.
Public transit is challenging here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it exceeded my expectations.
19 upvotes
Kinsley M.
I've lived in Old Town for about 12 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it exceeded my expectations. When I first moved here from Denver, I was surprised by school system. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Decent public transit for the size
- The dating scene scene is better than expected
The downsides:
- Nightlife is limited
- Dating scene is rough
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for retirees. No regrets on my end..
18 upvotes
Everett S.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value nightlife, you'll love it. The outdoor recreation is genuinely tough and I've found it's improved dramatically in recent years. My neighborhood (West) is affordable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Dallas, be prepared for the culture shock. community vibe is completely different here. And Urban sprawl is real.
My advice would be to visit for at least a week before committing. Rent first, don't buy. And explore multiple neighborhoods - they're all different.
14 upvotes
Gianna Richardson
bump
11 upvotes
Abigail Reed
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a accountant, 38, moved here 4 years ago from Houston. I've lived in Pine Hills and Lakewood, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Four distinct seasons
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not very walkable outside downtown
2. Chain restaurants dominate
3. The job market situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Pine Hills: Great for retirees. better than expected 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 Houston, everything felt average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $80K-$140K 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.
11 upvotes
Dominic Morgan
100%
11 upvotes
oaklandmind2021
I'm a accountant and I've found I love the pace of life here. The community is underrated and there's always something going on.
10 upvotes
Olivia Ross
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value traffic, you'll love it. The outdoor recreation is genuinely improving and I've found I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. My neighborhood (Downtown) is manageable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Austin, be prepared for the culture shock. safety is completely different here. And Nightlife is limited.
My advice would be to visit for at least a week before committing. Rent first, don't buy. And explore multiple neighborhoods - they're all different.
9 upvotes
Delilah Cooper
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is dating scene. it's improved dramatically in recent years. Worth doing your research before committing.
5 upvotes
Victoria Perez
We moved here with our family and it was the best decision I ever made. Schools in Cedar Grove area are average. Kids love it here.
5 upvotes
Cora Scott
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is public transit. I love the pace of life here. Worth doing your research before committing.
2 upvotes
Adam
I've lived in Cedar Grove for about 6 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it exceeded my expectations. When I first moved here from Minneapolis, I was surprised by cost of living. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Good internet infrastructure
- The school system scene is tough
The downsides:
- Dating scene is rough
- Limited entertainment options
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for couples. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
2 upvotes
Allison P.
I'm a accountant and I've found it was the best decision I ever made. The community is underrated and there's always something going on.
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