Considering South Laurel vs Nashville -help me decide
I grew up here but left for a while. Crime rate is something to consider -South Laurel sits at 593.4 per 100K. The weather takes some getting used to. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly.
21 upvotes
22 Replies
Katherine Gutierrez
interesting, hadn't considered that
40 upvotes
Ezekiel C.
I've lived in Cedar Grove for about 12 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it exceeded my expectations. When I first moved here from Austin, I was surprised by nightlife. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Four distinct seasons
- The dating scene scene is underrated
The downsides:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Limited high-paying job options
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for young professionals. No regrets on my end..
39 upvotes
fresnopapa2026
Came here for family and stayed because the quality of life is solid. The weather is honestly tough and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
36 upvotes
Connor Hill
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 13 years ago from Houston. I've lived in Old Town and Sunset, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Low crime in most neighborhoods
3. Four distinct seasons
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not very walkable outside downtown
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The school system situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Old Town: Great for retirees. solid vibes, walkable.
- Sunset: 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 challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $100K-$100K here.
**Final verdict:**
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. 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.
31 upvotes
Eva Taylor
couldn't agree more
30 upvotes
Brittany N.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a real estate agent, 53, moved here 8 years ago from Atlanta. I've lived in Maple Ridge and Lakewood, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Strong job market in several industries
2. Active local events and festivals
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not very walkable outside downtown
2. Not a lot of cultural diversity
3. The job market situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Maple Ridge: Great for young professionals. better than expected 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 Atlanta, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $100K-$100K here.
**Final verdict:**
Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. 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.
28 upvotes
Adam Cox
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a electrician, 40, moved here 5 years ago from Minneapolis. I've lived in Riverside and Cedar Grove, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Strong job market in several industries
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. Limited public transit options
2. Chain restaurants dominate
3. The safety situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Riverside: Great for retirees. improving vibes, walkable.
- Cedar Grove: 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 solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $40K-$150K 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.
25 upvotes
Aubrey Adams
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a project manager who relocated here from Denver about 15 years ago. The main reasons were school and quality of life.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good schools in most areas
- Four distinct seasons
- Good airport with direct flights
Cons that are real:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Chain restaurants dominate
Financially, we've found it better than expected compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are wild, gas is tough.
Socially, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
24 upvotes
Carson Hernandez
same here
22 upvotes
Nevaeh Sanders
same here
20 upvotes
Declan A.
We moved here with our family and it was the best decision I ever made. Schools in The Heights area are surprisingly good. Kids love it here.
15 upvotes
Ava Garcia
Came here for a fresh start and stayed because it's improved dramatically in recent years. The pet-friendliness is honestly average and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
15 upvotes
Mateo Adams
it depends on the neighborhood
15 upvotes
Jordan Adams
I'm a software engineer and I've found I'm still on the fence after all this time. The community is average and there's always something going on.
14 upvotes
Noah
hard disagree but ok
12 upvotes
Luca S.
As someone who grew up here, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. A lot has changed in the past few years though. job market used to be much wild but now it's pretty good.
9 upvotes
Raymond C.
My experience has been mostly positive. it's been a really good experience overall. The only thing I'd watch out for is walkability. Other than that, Good luck with whatever you decide..
8 upvotes
Brooks Brooks
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is public transit. I have mixed feelings honestly. Worth doing your research before committing.
4 upvotes
Ariana Young
great question, following
3 upvotes
luca_native
hard disagree but ok
3 upvotes
Wesley S.
We moved here with our family and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Schools in Highland area are decent. Kids love it here.
2 upvotes
Caleb R.
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are hit or miss, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
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