I'm originally from Memphis and Median household income is $79,233, which feels about average for the area. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Does this match your experience? The weather takes some getting used to.
20 upvotes
25 Replies
Cameron Moore
+1
37 upvotes
Gabriel W.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem average.
I've been here 2 years and it's been a really good experience overall. The thing nobody mentions is safety. It's pricey and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the healthcare is legit. And if you're into running, this place is pretty good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Midtown side vs the The Heights side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
36 upvotes
Nevaeh C.
couldn't agree more
35 upvotes
Brooklyn Taylor
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Internet is better than expected in most areas.
34 upvotes
Valentina Johnson
I've lived in The Heights for about 13 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 Austin, 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
- Diverse dining options
- The pet-friendliness scene is challenging
The downsides:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Far from beaches/mountains
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for families. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
32 upvotes
Jeffrey G.
spot on
32 upvotes
Kaylee Ruiz
thanks for sharing
31 upvotes
Alexa Mendoza
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 11 years. Moved from Seattle for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is tough. We bought in 2022 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
tech 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:**
it's not perfect but it works for me. The outdoor scene is better than expected - we have state parks 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. Nightlife is limited. Limited shopping options. And healthcare 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.
28 upvotes
Charlotte P.
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.
23 upvotes
Nevaeh Brown
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a sales manager, 38, moved here 5 years ago from Raleigh. I've lived in West and Pine Hills, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Decent public transit for the size
2. Four distinct seasons
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not a lot of cultural diversity
2. Limited shopping options
3. The school system situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- West: Great for families. pretty 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 Raleigh, everything felt underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $100K-$80K here.
**Final verdict:**
Happy to answer more specific questions.. 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.
23 upvotes
weston_kid
Weather-wise, the summers are average and winters are reasonable. You get used to it after the first year.
23 upvotes
leo_kid
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 2-bedroom. I love the pace of life here. Compared to Seattle it's decent.
22 upvotes
Katherine Torres
nah I disagree
19 upvotes
Violet Cooper
Came here for family and stayed because it was the best decision I ever made. The community vibe is honestly pretty good and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
15 upvotes
Kathryn W.
good to know, thanks
14 upvotes
Henry G.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a software engineer who relocated here from Denver about 8 years ago. The main reasons were my partner's job and cost of living.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good schools in most areas
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Diverse dining options
Cons that are real:
- Winters are long and cold
- Chain restaurants dominate
Financially, we've found it solid compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are developing, gas is surprisingly good.
Socially, I genuinely enjoy living here. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
13 upvotes
Kaylee
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Eastside for 7 years. Moved from Pittsburgh for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is underrated. We bought in 2022 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
healthcare is strong here. marketing 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:**
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The outdoor scene is challenging - 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. Eastside schools are solid. 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. Far from beaches/mountains. And healthcare can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 6/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
12 upvotes
Angel Roberts
We moved here with our family and it's not perfect but it works for me. Schools in South area are hit or miss. Kids love it here.
12 upvotes
Brooks Jimenez
Used to live on the Midtown side, now on the The Heights side. Completely different vibe. it's exactly what I was looking for.
12 upvotes
Aaron Roberts
good to know, thanks
8 upvotes
Austin W.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a physical therapist who relocated here from Phoenix about 15 years ago. The main reasons were retirement and work.
Pros I've experienced:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Good internet infrastructure
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Limited high-paying job options
- Limited entertainment options
Financially, we've found it decent compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are established, gas is hit or miss.
Socially, I have mixed feelings honestly. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
4 upvotes
Isabelle Alvarez
I work in finance here and it's not perfect but it works for me. The job market for my field is average. Good luck with whatever you decide..
4 upvotes
Carson B.
The food scene here is average. Tons of great Asian places. I love the pace of life here.
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