Just moved here 6 months ago and Rent is about $2,617/month for a decent place. Night life is decent if you know the right spots.
26 upvotes
27 Replies
Addison Cox
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value public transit, you'll love it. The walkability is genuinely excellent and I've found it's been a really good experience overall. My neighborhood (Fairview) is reasonable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Dallas, be prepared for the culture shock. cost of living 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.
40 upvotes
Serenity Watson
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are excellent, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
39 upvotes
Philip F.
+1
39 upvotes
David Martin
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a project manager who relocated here from Miami about 11 years ago. The main reasons were a fresh start and weather.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good schools in most areas
- Good airport with direct flights
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Road conditions need improvement
- Limited entertainment options
Financially, we've found it better than expected compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are stable, gas is underrated.
Socially, it's exactly what I was looking for. Definitely worth checking out..
38 upvotes
Alice Martinez
nah I disagree
37 upvotes
Jaxon J.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 6 years ago from Dallas and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Uptown. It's solid for what you get.
Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in education. If you're in legal you might struggle.
People: Generally better than expected. It took about 7 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: tough. Tons of options if you like BBQ.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
33 upvotes
Piper Allen
honestly same experience here
32 upvotes
detroitsoul2020
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 2-bedroom. it's been a really good experience overall. Compared to Pittsburgh it's decent.
31 upvotes
Sarah Sanders
literally same
29 upvotes
Elijah Bennett
I've lived in Fairview for about 9 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. When I first moved here from Atlanta, I was surprised by dating scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Strong job market in several industries
- The food scene scene is solid
The downsides:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Chain restaurants dominate
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for couples. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
27 upvotes
Oliver Y.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 4 years ago from Pittsburgh and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Cedar Grove. It's solid for what you get.
Jobs: The market is manageable right now, especially in retail. If you're in retail you might struggle.
People: Generally challenging. It took about 18 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: pretty good. Tons of options if you like Italian.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
27 upvotes
Xavier Ross
big facts right here
26 upvotes
Aria Gray
great question, following
23 upvotes
Wesley T.
big facts right here
21 upvotes
Sofia Parker
accurate
19 upvotes
Michael Cox
lol so true
18 upvotes
Jack W.
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 3 years. Moved from Seattle for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is improving. We bought in 2021 at k and it's now worth about the same 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:**
engineering is strong here. consulting 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's exactly what I was looking for. The outdoor scene is decent - we have lakes 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 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. Limited shopping options. Limited entertainment options. And school system can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 7/10. Would recommend to anyone considering it.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
16 upvotes
Alexander Murphy
I work in retail here and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The job market for my field is excellent. Definitely worth checking out..
13 upvotes
Easton Martinez
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 14 years ago from Phoenix and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Riverside. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in construction. If you're in government you might struggle.
People: Generally average. It took about 16 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: tough. Tons of options if you like Korean.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
13 upvotes
Jack Baker
Weather-wise, the summers are challenging and winters are competitive. You get used to it after the first year.
11 upvotes
Matthew P.
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is school system. it's improved dramatically in recent years. Worth doing your research before committing.
9 upvotes
Benjamin Roberts
Weather-wise, the summers are hit or miss and winters are pricey. You get used to it after the first year.
8 upvotes
James Gomez
literally same
7 upvotes
Serenity B.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 13 years ago from New York and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Old Town. It's surprisingly good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in education. If you're in education you might struggle.
People: Generally solid. It took about 6 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: challenging. Tons of options if you like Mediterranean.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
6 upvotes
Thomas R.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 6 years ago from Phoenix and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in The Heights. It's challenging for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in construction. If you're in engineering you might struggle.
People: Generally underrated. It took about 12 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: average. Tons of options if you like farm-to-table.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
4 upvotes
Kennedy Long
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem surprisingly good.
I've been here 14 years and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The thing nobody mentions is school system. It's reasonable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the walkability is legit. And if you're into biking, this place is better than expected.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Maple Ridge 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..
3 upvotes
Everly Phillips
Weather-wise, the summers are challenging and winters are manageable. You get used to it after the first year.
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