You can expect to pay around $1,178 for rent here. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Looking forward to hearing from you all. The suburbs are where most families end up. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Property taxes are high but you get good services.
14 upvotes
20 Replies
Eliana Y.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a electrician, 54, moved here 1 years ago from Minneapolis. I've lived in Sunset and Pine Hills, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good internet infrastructure
2. Active local events and festivals
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Rising rent and home prices
3. The housing market situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Sunset: Great for singles. surprisingly good vibes, walkable.
- Pine Hills: 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 Minneapolis, everything felt average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $100K-$80K here.
**Final verdict:**
Hope this helps!. 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.
39 upvotes
Skylar Hall
I'm a data analyst and I've found there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The community is tough and there's always something going on.
39 upvotes
Madeline Young
The food scene here is improving. Tons of great Korean places. I genuinely enjoy living here.
35 upvotes
Alexa Peterson
I've lived in North for about 10 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I genuinely enjoy living here. When I first moved here from Salt Lake City, I was surprised by nightlife. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Strong job market in several industries
- The food scene scene is excellent
The downsides:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Dating scene is rough
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for couples. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
31 upvotes
Waylon Ward
Moved here from Chicago about 2 years ago. it's not perfect but it works for me. Still getting used to safety but Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
30 upvotes
Aurora Kelly
Used to live on the Lakewood side, now on the The Heights side. Completely different vibe. it's been a really good experience overall.
29 upvotes
Hannah M.
I'm a marketing manager and I've found I genuinely enjoy living here. The community is challenging and there's always something going on.
25 upvotes
Aurora
My experience has been mostly positive. I genuinely enjoy living here. The only thing I'd watch out for is pet-friendliness. Other than that, Feel free to reach out with questions..
23 upvotes
Benjamin Reyes
Public transit is better than expected here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it was the best decision I ever made.
22 upvotes
Andrea K.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Sunset for 7 years. Moved from Phoenix for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is excellent. We bought in 2016 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
legal is strong here. engineering is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are developing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I'm still on the fence after all this time. The outdoor scene is surprisingly good - 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. Sunset schools are better than expected. 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. Urban sprawl is real. Chain restaurants dominate. And community vibe can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 6/10. It's not for everyone but it works for us.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
21 upvotes
Jackson L.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a physical therapist who relocated here from Tampa about 8 years ago. The main reasons were work and school.
Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Close to major attractions
- Good airport with direct flights
Cons that are real:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Limited entertainment options
Financially, we've found it average compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are established, gas is underrated.
Socially, I love the pace of life here. Feel free to reach out with questions..
20 upvotes
Vivian
I've lived in Cedar Grove for about 7 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. When I first moved here from Atlanta, I was surprised by cost of living. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Four distinct seasons
- Good airport with direct flights
- The food scene scene is challenging
The downsides:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Nightlife is limited
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for remote workers. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
18 upvotes
Barbara S.
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are hit or miss, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
16 upvotes
Audrey Lewis
The food scene here is tough. Tons of great Mediterranean places. it exceeded my expectations.
14 upvotes
born_sophie77
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value housing market, you'll love it. The dating scene is genuinely surprisingly good and I've found it exceeded my expectations. My neighborhood (Pine Hills) is reasonable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Chicago, be prepared for the culture shock. school system is completely different here. And Rising rent and home prices.
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.
13 upvotes
Brian A.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem decent.
I've been here 8 years and it's not perfect but it works for me. The thing nobody mentions is dating scene. It's reasonable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the public transit is legit. And if you're into running, this place is surprisingly good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Cedar Grove side vs the Lakewood side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
11 upvotes
milwaukeeliving2023
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are underrated, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
7 upvotes
vegasliving2024
Moved here from LA about 1 years ago. the quality of life is solid. Still getting used to cultural scene but Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
5 upvotes
Claire G.
+1
1 upvotes
miamiheart2026
Used to live on the Eastside side, now on the West side. Completely different vibe. it's not perfect but it works for me.