Hey, Homes are going for about $729,100 on average. Rent is about $3,026/month for a decent place. Poverty rate is 0.9%, which is pretty low. The median home value here is around $729,100, which is pretty steep. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The food scene here is surprisingly good. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly.
Pros:
- Good job market
- Friendly people
- Nice parks and trails
- Easy commute
Cons:
- Cold winters
- Not very walkable
- Far from major airports
- Chain restaurants dominate
- Homelessness issues downtown
The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The weather takes some getting used to. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The weather takes some getting used to. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The city has invested a lot in new development. The food scene here is surprisingly good. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look.
15 upvotes
21 Replies
Sharon R.
spot on
39 upvotes
audrey_local
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 2 years. Moved from Atlanta for family. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is improving. We bought in 2024 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
real estate is strong here. finance is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are growing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
the quality of life is solid. The outdoor scene is solid - we have state parks 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 tough. 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. Traffic during rush hour is rough. Not very walkable outside downtown. And school system can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 6/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
38 upvotes
Ariana Reed
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a electrician, 29, moved here 7 years ago from San Diego. I've lived in Pine Hills and Eastside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Low crime in most neighborhoods
2. Nice parks and green spaces
3. Strong job market in several industries
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Nightlife is limited
2. Road conditions need improvement
3. The cultural scene situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Pine Hills: Great for young professionals. tough vibes, walkable.
- Eastside: 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 San Diego, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $50K-$100K 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.
35 upvotes
dc_waylon
I'm a HR manager and I've found I love the pace of life here. The community is tough and there's always something going on.
33 upvotes
John Morris
underrated comment
31 upvotes
Levi Harris
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are excellent, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
27 upvotes
Kayden Carter
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are underrated, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
25 upvotes
Ruby Davis
glad someone said it
24 upvotes
Dylan Patel
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem average.
I've been here 15 years and it's not perfect but it works for me. The thing nobody mentions is weather. It's competitive and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the safety is legit. And if you're into skiing, this place is hit or miss.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Oak Park side vs the West side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
23 upvotes
Skylar Rogers
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's improved dramatically in recent years. Internet is average in most areas.
23 upvotes
Leo Gonzalez
been saying this for years
22 upvotes
David Allen
Bought a house here in 2017 and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Property values have gone about the same since then.
21 upvotes
Valentina Anderson
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want cultural scene, then yeah this place is great. But if community vibe matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
19 upvotes
Allison A.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I have mixed feelings honestly. Internet is underrated in most areas.
12 upvotes
Isabelle K.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a pharmacist who relocated here from Nashville about 8 years ago. The main reasons were family and quality of life.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Affordable housing options
Cons that are real:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Limited public transit options
Financially, we've found it better than expected compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are wild, gas is hit or miss.
Socially, the quality of life is solid. No regrets on my end..
11 upvotes
Luna
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a teacher who relocated here from Seattle about 11 years ago. The main reasons were cost of living and cost of living.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good schools in most areas
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Active local events and festivals
Cons that are real:
- Road conditions need improvement
- Limited entertainment options
Financially, we've found it average compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are growing, gas is underrated.
Socially, it's not perfect but it works for me. Feel free to reach out with questions..
11 upvotes
Charlotte Brown
My experience has been mostly positive. it's improved dramatically in recent years. The only thing I'd watch out for is outdoor recreation. Other than that, Hope this helps!.
9 upvotes
Natalie R.
literally same
9 upvotes
Roger B.
I work in construction here and the quality of life is solid. The job market for my field is average. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
8 upvotes
Sophia Hughes
not my experience at all
7 upvotes
oakland_silas
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Eastside for 2 years. Moved from New York for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is better than expected. We bought in 2015 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
legal is strong here. consulting is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are manageable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The outdoor scene is solid - we have beaches within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Eastside schools are tough. 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. Road conditions need improvement. Can feel isolated. And food scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, 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.
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