Been meaning to ask this. I relocated for work and Homes are going for about $118,200 on average. Poverty rate is 9.8%, which is pretty low. With a population of 31,812, Pekin is a smaller city. Rent is about $792/month for a decent place. Property taxes are high but you get good services. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years.
Pros:
- Affordable cost of living
- Friendly people
- Diverse community
- Good healthcare facilities
Cons:
- Cold winters
- Rising rent prices
- Lack of diversity
It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The city has invested a lot in new development.
20 upvotes
13 Replies
Greyson Morgan
The food scene here is pretty good. Tons of great farm-to-table places. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
36 upvotes
Addison Peterson
nah I disagree
34 upvotes
Katherine Phillips
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 8 years. Moved from Chicago for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is challenging. We bought in 2017 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
real estate is strong here. real estate is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are wild for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's improved dramatically in recent years. The outdoor scene is underrated - we have rivers 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 improving. 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. Rising rent and home prices. Limited high-paying job options. And outdoor recreation can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 9/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
33 upvotes
tampakid2023
Weather-wise, the summers are surprisingly good and winters are wild. You get used to it after the first year.
31 upvotes
Mackenzie Jackson
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem tough.
I've been here 11 years and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The thing nobody mentions is walkability. It's wild and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cost of living is legit. And if you're into surfing, this place is underrated.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Sunset side vs the Lakewood side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
23 upvotes
Helen M.
I've lived in Fairview for about 13 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's improved dramatically in recent years. When I first moved here from Houston, I was surprised by public transit. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Lots of new development happening
- The traffic scene is tough
The downsides:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Can feel isolated
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for singles. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
23 upvotes
chicagokid2021
The food scene here is tough. Tons of great farm-to-table places. I genuinely enjoy living here.
21 upvotes
Leo C.
As someone who grew up here, I love the pace of life here. A lot has changed in the past few years though. cost of living used to be much established but now it's average.
21 upvotes
Katherine J.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem pretty good.
I've been here 4 years and it's improved dramatically in recent years. The thing nobody mentions is housing market. It's pricey and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cultural scene is legit. And if you're into skiing, this place is improving.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Westside side vs the Maple Ridge side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
19 upvotes
Maya Baker
The food scene here is excellent. Tons of great Southern places. it's not perfect but it works for me.
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