Hey folks, Born and raised here. It's a a smaller city city with about 59,280 people. The city has invested a lot in new development. Thoughts? The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Property taxes are high but you get good services. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting.
14 upvotes
23 Replies
Austin Gonzalez
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a electrician, 47, moved here 2 years ago from Houston. I've lived in Downtown and Greenfield, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Nice parks and green spaces
3. Four distinct seasons
4. The people are generally average - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Rising rent and home prices
2. Not very walkable outside downtown
3. The pet-friendliness situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Downtown: Great for retirees. underrated vibes, walkable.
- Greenfield: 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 Houston, everything felt solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $40K-$110K 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.
40 upvotes
real_hailey24
100%
38 upvotes
Emma Bailey
We moved here with our family and I love the pace of life here. Schools in Midtown area are better than expected. Kids love it here.
38 upvotes
Adam F.
Moved here from Portland about 4 years ago. it exceeded my expectations. Still getting used to cultural scene but No regrets on my end..
36 upvotes
cool_angel92
nah I disagree
34 upvotes
Ezekiel Howard
I've lived in Sunset for about 11 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's been a really good experience overall. When I first moved here from Minneapolis, I was surprised by dating scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Nice parks and green spaces
- The safety scene is decent
The downsides:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Far from beaches/mountains
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for singles. Feel free to reach out with questions..
30 upvotes
Nevaeh Evans
I've lived in The Heights for about 1 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's improved dramatically in recent years. When I first moved here from San Diego, I was surprised by school system. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good schools in most areas
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- The job market scene is solid
The downsides:
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
- Homeless population growing downtown
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for retirees. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
30 upvotes
lake_katherine67
Moved here from Austin about 6 years ago. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Still getting used to community vibe but No regrets on my end..
29 upvotes
Kennedy Torres
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a contractor, 29, moved here 15 years ago from Denver. I've lived in The Heights and Lakewood, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good healthcare facilities
2. Close to major attractions
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Road conditions need improvement
2. Dating scene is rough
3. The job market situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- The Heights: Great for singles. hit or miss vibes, walkable.
- Lakewood: 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 Denver, everything felt solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $50K-$100K here.
**Final verdict:**
Would recommend to anyone considering it.. 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.
29 upvotes
Joseph Hughes
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a sales manager, 54, moved here 11 years ago from Boston. I've lived in Uptown and Old Town, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Nice parks and green spaces
3. Lots of new development happening
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Urban sprawl is real
2. Property taxes are high
3. The cultural scene situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Uptown: Great for retirees. decent vibes, walkable.
- Old Town: 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 Boston, everything felt hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $70K-$100K here.
**Final verdict:**
Definitely worth checking out.. 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.
26 upvotes
Joseph B.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want public transit, then yeah this place is great. But if weather matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
26 upvotes
Abigail F.
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 1 years. Moved from Minneapolis for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is solid. We bought in 2021 at k and it's now worth down slightly 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:**
consulting is strong here. manufacturing 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 was the best decision I ever made. The outdoor scene is solid - 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. 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. Not very walkable outside downtown. Chain restaurants dominate. And healthcare can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 7/10. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
24 upvotes
Arianna Clark
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a electrician, 44, moved here 10 years ago from Baltimore. I've lived in North and Midtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Good healthcare facilities
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Road conditions need improvement
2. Dating scene is rough
3. The cost of living situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- North: Great for young professionals. surprisingly good vibes, walkable.
- Midtown: 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 Baltimore, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $100K-$90K here.
**Final verdict:**
Good luck with whatever you decide.. 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.
22 upvotes
Hannah Phillips
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
21 upvotes
Paisley Williams
literally same
20 upvotes
Camila Chavez
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 10 years ago from Boston and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Old Town. It's pretty good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is reasonable right now, especially in engineering. If you're in hospitality you might struggle.
People: Generally excellent. It took about 17 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: better than expected. Tons of options if you like Mexican.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
18 upvotes
Stella Ross
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a teacher, 52, moved here 5 years ago from Miami. I've lived in The Heights and Downtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Urban sprawl is real
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The housing market situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- The Heights: Great for singles. excellent vibes, walkable.
- Downtown: 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 Miami, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $80K-$150K here.
**Final verdict:**
Definitely worth checking out.. 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.
17 upvotes
nashville_genesis
I work in tech here and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The job market for my field is surprisingly good. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
14 upvotes
Josiah Young
same here
14 upvotes
true_sarah38
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a marketing manager, 46, moved here 8 years ago from Austin. I've lived in Pine Hills and Uptown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Low crime in most neighborhoods
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally hit or miss - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Road conditions need improvement
2. Limited shopping options
3. The dating scene situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Pine Hills: Great for young professionals. solid vibes, walkable.
- Uptown: 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 Austin, everything felt hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $100K-$90K 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.
11 upvotes
Thomas C.
The food scene here is pretty good. Tons of great craft beer places. I have mixed feelings honestly.
10 upvotes
Martha S.
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are better than expected, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
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