I'm a 35-year-old contractor and Household incomes average around $54,281 in Shawnee. Poverty rate is 15.3%, which is higher than I expected. You can expect to pay around $912 for rent here. Homes are going for about $147,800 on average. Median household income is $54,281, which feels on the lower side for the area. The city has invested a lot in new development. The suburbs are where most families end up. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The food scene here is surprisingly good. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The city has invested a lot in new development. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Property taxes are high but you get good services. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The weather takes some getting used to. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The weather takes some getting used to. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The food scene here is surprisingly good. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level.
11 upvotes
7 Replies
Sophie Gonzalez
interesting, hadn't considered that
39 upvotes
Delilah Rivera
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 12 years. Moved from Tampa for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is challenging. We bought in 2019 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
government is strong here. engineering 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:**
it exceeded my expectations. The outdoor scene is solid - 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 underrated. 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. Winters are long and cold. Rising rent and home prices. And traffic can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 9/10. Hope this helps!. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
35 upvotes
Brielle Harris
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem better than expected.
I've been here 5 years and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The thing nobody mentions is weather. It's wild and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cultural scene is legit. And if you're into mountain biking, this place is better than expected.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The West side vs the Lakewood side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
35 upvotes
Alexa Price
Bought a house here in 2018 and I genuinely enjoy living here. Property values have gone up significantly since then.
32 upvotes
Sophie
I've been living here for 3 years and I'd say I love the pace of life here. The nightlife is pretty good compared to other places I've lived. Overall Would recommend to anyone considering it..
30 upvotes
sd_hailey
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 8 years ago from Chicago 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 solid for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in marketing. If you're in hospitality you might struggle.
People: Generally tough. It took about 11 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: pretty good. Tons of options if you like seafood.
All Countries
