Born and raised here. Homes are going for about $228,000 on average. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The city has invested a lot in new development. What would you do? Cheers. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse.
11 upvotes
9 Replies
Everett Taylor
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value healthcare, you'll love it. The traffic is genuinely tough and I've found it's not perfect but it works for me. My neighborhood (Old Town) is reasonable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Charlotte, be prepared for the culture shock. housing market is completely different here. And Not very walkable outside downtown.
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.
31 upvotes
Isabelle T.
I've been living here for 7 years and I'd say it exceeded my expectations. The dating scene is pretty good compared to other places I've lived. Overall Happy to answer more specific questions..
28 upvotes
Naomi
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 11 years ago from Seattle and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in The Heights. It's improving for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in finance. If you're in tech you might struggle.
People: Generally average. It took about 7 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: average. Tons of options if you like BBQ.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
16 upvotes
Emma G.
preach
12 upvotes
Jose M.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value healthcare, you'll love it. The public transit is genuinely better than expected and I've found I love the pace of life here. My neighborhood (Downtown) is manageable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Salt Lake City, be prepared for the culture shock. walkability is completely different here. And Bugs and humidity in summer.
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.
3 upvotes
Sean H.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a project manager who relocated here from Austin about 13 years ago. The main reasons were weather and work.
Pros I've experienced:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Good airport with direct flights
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Winters are long and cold
- Homeless population growing downtown
Financially, we've found it pretty good compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are manageable, gas is decent.
Socially, the quality of life is solid. No regrets on my end..
1 upvotes
Wesley A.
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 13 years. Moved from Charlotte for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is tough. We bought in 2018 at k and it's now worth up significantly 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:**
legal is strong here. legal 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 excellent - we have national forests 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. Summers can be brutally hot. Limited high-paying job options. And public transit can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 7/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
1 upvotes
Henry Robinson
following this thread
0 upvotes
Nora Bennett
Came here for weather and stayed because it's been a really good experience overall. The job market is honestly better than expected and I don't see that changing anytime soon.