Hey, With a population of 19,636, Roosevelt is a small town. You can expect to pay around $2,579 for rent here. Crime rate is something to consider -Roosevelt sits at 119.0 per 100K. Average temperature is around 53--F, so expect cold winters. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Thoughts? Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The suburbs are where most families end up. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. The city has invested a lot in new development.
10 upvotes
13 Replies
Ezekiel Miller
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a HR manager, 27, moved here 13 years ago from Atlanta. I've lived in The Heights and Pine Hills, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Friendly community, easy to meet people
3. Active local events and festivals
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Urban sprawl is real
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The food scene situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- The Heights: Great for remote workers. underrated 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 Atlanta, everything felt tough. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $70K-$70K here.
**Final verdict:**
No regrets on my end.. 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
Jacob R.
The food scene here is challenging. Tons of great Southern places. it exceeded my expectations.
38 upvotes
Julian H.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem hit or miss.
I've been here 4 years and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The thing nobody mentions is safety. It's growing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the food scene is legit. And if you're into photography, this place is challenging.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Midtown side vs the Cedar Grove side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
35 upvotes
Chloe Miller
interesting, hadn't considered that
34 upvotes
Robert Gray
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value school system, you'll love it. The cost of living is genuinely average and I've found there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. My neighborhood (Oak Park) is pricey and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Phoenix, be prepared for the culture shock. public transit is completely different here. And Not a lot of cultural diversity.
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.
33 upvotes
river_vivian4
I've been living here for 13 years and I'd say there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The healthcare is average compared to other places I've lived. Overall Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
32 upvotes
Alexa Phillips
couldn't agree more
30 upvotes
Ethan T.
yeah no that's not right
29 upvotes
Adrian Watson
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem improving.
I've been here 10 years and I love the pace of life here. The thing nobody mentions is safety. It's established and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the food scene is legit. And if you're into hiking, this place is better than expected.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Uptown side vs the Meadowbrook side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
20 upvotes
Reagan Bailey
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Westside for 13 years. Moved from Tampa for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is solid. We bought in 2020 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
tech is strong here. retail is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are stable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's improved dramatically in recent years. The outdoor scene is pretty good - 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. Westside schools are surprisingly good. 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. Nightlife is limited. Far from beaches/mountains. And dating scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, 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.
15 upvotes
David Hughes
Weather-wise, the summers are underrated and winters are reasonable. You get used to it after the first year.
12 upvotes
orlandorunner2022
I've lived in Cedar Grove for about 14 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it exceeded my expectations. When I first moved here from Raleigh, I was surprised by walkability. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Decent public transit for the size
- Lots of new development happening
- The school system scene is challenging
The downsides:
- Chain restaurants dominate
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for singles. Good luck with whatever you decide..
4 upvotes
Julian Miller
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value cost of living, you'll love it. The healthcare is genuinely decent and I've found it's exactly what I was looking for. My neighborhood (Sunset) is developing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Seattle, be prepared for the culture shock. housing market is completely different here. And Summers can be brutally hot.
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.
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