OK so I've been here for 16 years and Rent is about $1,333/month for a decent place. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. What neighborhoods would you suggest? There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods.
3 upvotes
11 Replies
Carter Wilson
I've been living here for 14 years and I'd say the quality of life is solid. The traffic is solid compared to other places I've lived. Overall Good luck with whatever you decide..
40 upvotes
Victoria Phillips
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem average.
I've been here 12 years and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The thing nobody mentions is food scene. It's developing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the housing market is legit. And if you're into hiking, this place is decent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Pine Hills side vs the West side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
39 upvotes
Aurora Robinson
bump
38 upvotes
Wesley Castillo
I work in marketing here and it exceeded my expectations. The job market for my field is tough. Hope this helps!.
38 upvotes
Owen Ramos
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 9 years. Moved from Nashville for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is better than expected. We bought in 2022 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
retail is strong here. real estate 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:**
the quality of life is solid. 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 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. Property taxes are high. Bugs and humidity in summer. And school system can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 6/10. It's not for everyone but it works for us.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
24 upvotes
Colton Gonzalez
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a accountant, 39, moved here 11 years ago from San Diego. I've lived in The Heights and Fairview, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Bugs and humidity in summer
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The nightlife situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- The Heights: Great for couples. improving vibes, walkable.
- Fairview: 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 San Diego, everything felt underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $50K-$110K here.
**Final verdict:**
Feel free to reach out with 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.
21 upvotes
Ruby Davis
glad someone said it
20 upvotes
Cora H.
As someone who grew up here, it's not perfect but it works for me. A lot has changed in the past few years though. outdoor recreation used to be much growing but now it's decent.
13 upvotes
Hudson
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a project manager, 42, moved here 11 years ago from Minneapolis. I've lived in Sunset and Midtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Close to major attractions
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Nightlife is limited
3. The housing market situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Sunset: Great for families. excellent 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 Minneapolis, everything felt underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $90K-$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.