OK so Homes are going for about $320,400 on average. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. What are your go-to spots? Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that.
7 upvotes
17 Replies
Jackson A.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a electrician, 58, moved here 3 years ago from Denver. I've lived in Riverside and Midtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Low crime in most neighborhoods
2. Active local events and festivals
3. Close to major attractions
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Dating scene is rough
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The traffic situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Riverside: Great for couples. improving vibes, walkable.
- Midtown: 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 Denver, everything felt challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $70K-$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.
40 upvotes
portlandchef2022
I've lived in Meadowbrook for about 7 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's been a really good experience overall. When I first moved here from New York, I was surprised by public transit. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Decent public transit for the size
- The cost of living scene is underrated
The downsides:
- Property taxes are high
- Limited entertainment options
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for retirees. No regrets on my end..
40 upvotes
nycrider2026
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 9 years ago from Phoenix and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in West. It's pretty good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in retail. If you're in government you might struggle.
People: Generally better than expected. It took about 8 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: decent. Tons of options if you like Korean.
Hope this helps!.
38 upvotes
Austin Jones
lol so true
34 upvotes
Raymond B.
it depends on the neighborhood
34 upvotes
Caleb Diaz
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a social worker, 47, moved here 13 years ago from Denver. I've lived in Maple Ridge and Oak Park, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Friendly community, easy to meet people
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally solid - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Chain restaurants dominate
3. The community vibe situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Maple Ridge: Great for remote workers. hit or miss vibes, walkable.
- Oak Park: 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 Denver, everything felt underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $100K-$90K here.
**Final verdict:**
Would recommend to anyone considering it.. 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.
33 upvotes
Xavier James
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem solid.
I've been here 15 years and it exceeded my expectations. The thing nobody mentions is food scene. It's affordable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the food scene is legit. And if you're into rock climbing, this place is decent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The West side vs the Greenfield side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
No regrets on my end..
30 upvotes
Paisley Walker
The food scene here is excellent. Tons of great Vietnamese places. the quality of life is solid.
28 upvotes
Kai L.
Moved here from Houston about 10 years ago. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Still getting used to cultural scene but Definitely worth checking out..
16 upvotes
Stella White
This.
14 upvotes
Rylee P.
Bought a house here in 2019 and I genuinely enjoy living here. Property values have gone up significantly since then.
13 upvotes
Lydia Ramos
honestly same experience here
11 upvotes
Anna Rivera
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in East for 14 years. Moved from Minneapolis for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is tough. We bought in 2016 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
tech is strong here. education is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are reasonable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it was the best decision I ever made. The outdoor scene is solid - we have mountains within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. East schools are challenging. 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. Urban sprawl is real. And community vibe can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 9/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
6 upvotes
Carson
Hot take but it was the best decision I ever made. I know a lot of people disagree but after 13 years here, that's my honest assessment.
3 upvotes
Jayden Phillips
I've lived in Cedar Grove for about 1 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I have mixed feelings honestly. When I first moved here from Tampa, I was surprised by nightlife. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Lots of new development happening
- The nightlife scene is solid
The downsides:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Limited entertainment options
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for families. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
3 upvotes
Oliver C.
Weather-wise, the summers are average and winters are manageable. You get used to it after the first year.
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