Not sure if this has been asked before, but I'm a teacher here and Rent is about $2,218/month for a decent place. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Should I be concerned? The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The food scene here is surprisingly good.
2 upvotes
17 Replies
Anna
Used to live on the Springfield side, now on the Sunset side. Completely different vibe. I love the pace of life here.
39 upvotes
Riley Kim
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want safety, then yeah this place is great. But if outdoor recreation matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
38 upvotes
Jordan Nguyen
Moved here from Houston about 7 years ago. it's improved dramatically in recent years. Still getting used to community vibe but Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
36 upvotes
mesafan2024
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 5 years. Moved from Tampa for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is excellent. We bought in 2015 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
construction is strong here. legal is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are reasonable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The outdoor scene is solid - we have national forests 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 pretty good. 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. Urban sprawl is real. Can feel isolated. And safety can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, 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.
35 upvotes
Camila Jones
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is community vibe. it's been a really good experience overall. Worth doing your research before committing.
34 upvotes
born_lydia42
I work in construction here and I have mixed feelings honestly. The job market for my field is pretty good. Definitely worth checking out..
33 upvotes
Elizabeth H.
thanks for sharing
32 upvotes
Andrew Lee
same here
32 upvotes
Nolan Thompson
Bought a house here in 2020 and the quality of life is solid. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
31 upvotes
Aurora Morales
+1
31 upvotes
Nova R.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want nightlife, then yeah this place is great. But if safety matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
29 upvotes
Scarlett M.
literally same
24 upvotes
Zoe Reed
Hot take but I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. I know a lot of people disagree but after 9 years here, that's my honest assessment.
20 upvotes
Hannah
great question, following
14 upvotes
Barbara R.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a HR manager, 40, moved here 8 years ago from Raleigh. I've lived in Fairview and Midtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Diverse dining options
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Dating scene is rough
3. The cultural scene situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Fairview: Great for couples. solid 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 Raleigh, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $50K-$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.
8 upvotes
Josiah Young
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value weather, you'll love it. The job market is genuinely better than expected and I've found it's not perfect but it works for me. My neighborhood (The Heights) is reasonable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Tampa, be prepared for the culture shock. job market is completely different here. And Summers can be brutally hot.
My advice would be to visit for at least a week before committing. Rent first, don't buy. And explore multiple neighborhoods - they're all different.
5 upvotes
Skylar Diaz
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Lakewood for 3 years. Moved from Phoenix for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is excellent. We bought in 2024 at k and it's now worth up significantly 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. marketing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are reasonable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I love the pace of life here. The outdoor scene is surprisingly good - 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. Lakewood schools are decent. 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 safety can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 9/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
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