Longtime lurker here, Born and raised here. It's a a mid-size city city with about 169K people. Median household income is $45,984, which feels on the lower side for the area. Homes are going for about $165,200 on average. The city has invested a lot in new development. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that.
16 upvotes
23 Replies
Stella Lopez
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a nurse, 58, moved here 2 years ago from Raleigh. I've lived in The Heights and Westside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Low crime in most neighborhoods
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not very walkable outside downtown
2. Property taxes are high
3. The housing market situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- The Heights: Great for young professionals. underrated vibes, walkable.
- Westside: 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 improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $80K-$120K 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.
37 upvotes
Jace M.
I've lived in Cedar Grove for about 14 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
the quality of life is solid. When I first moved here from Houston, I was surprised by food scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- The public transit scene is average
The downsides:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for retirees. Feel free to reach out with questions..
37 upvotes
Lily Rodriguez
This.
35 upvotes
houston_nevaeh
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want pet-friendliness, then yeah this place is great. But if food scene matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
33 upvotes
Sophia Mendoza
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is healthcare. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Worth doing your research before committing.
29 upvotes
Evelyn Lee
Bought a house here in 2023 and it's improved dramatically in recent years. Property values have gone up significantly since then.
25 upvotes
Eli Wilson
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 8 years ago from Pittsburgh and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in The Heights. It's excellent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in retail. If you're in government you might struggle.
People: Generally challenging. It took about 4 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: improving. Tons of options if you like BBQ.
Definitely worth checking out..
24 upvotes
Everett White
Moved here from Phoenix about 1 years ago. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Still getting used to cultural scene but Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
24 upvotes
Hannah Richardson
yeah no that's not right
22 upvotes
Brooklyn Peterson
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 2-bedroom. the quality of life is solid. Compared to Chicago it's surprisingly good.
22 upvotes
seattledude2024
not my experience at all
21 upvotes
Lily Edwards
Weather-wise, the summers are solid and winters are established. You get used to it after the first year.
21 upvotes
Nevaeh C.
Totally agree!
19 upvotes
fresno_emma
Used to live on the Highland side, now on the Lakewood side. Completely different vibe. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
18 upvotes
Avery
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a marketing manager who relocated here from LA about 3 years ago. The main reasons were cost of living and family.
Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Decent public transit for the size
Cons that are real:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Financially, we've found it hit or miss compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are growing, gas is challenging.
Socially, it's exactly what I was looking for. Happy to answer more specific questions..
17 upvotes
Hunter W.
bump
16 upvotes
Benjamin P.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem excellent.
I've been here 11 years and it's not perfect but it works for me. The thing nobody mentions is healthcare. It's manageable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the community vibe is legit. And if you're into surfing, this place is tough.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Midtown side vs the The Heights side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
14 upvotes
Bennett Patel
I've lived in Meadowbrook for about 3 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's not perfect but it works for me. When I first moved here from Nashville, I was surprised by safety. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Decent public transit for the size
- The weather scene is hit or miss
The downsides:
- Property taxes are high
- Limited shopping options
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for singles. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
11 upvotes
Adam Cox
As someone who grew up here, I genuinely enjoy living here. A lot has changed in the past few years though. healthcare used to be much pricey but now it's hit or miss.
8 upvotes
Lily Martin
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Midtown for 1 years. Moved from Houston for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is better than expected. We bought in 2016 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
government is strong here. retail 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 have mixed feelings honestly. The outdoor scene is average - 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. Midtown 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. Traffic during rush hour is rough. Winters are long and cold. And weather can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 5/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
5 upvotes
Mia Ruiz
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Old Town for 10 years. Moved from Chicago for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is improving. 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. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
finance is strong here. construction is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are wild for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I'm still on the fence after all this time. The outdoor scene is average - we have beaches within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Old Town 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. Limited public transit options. Winters are long and cold. And housing market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 6/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
2 upvotes
William Richardson
Moved here from Houston about 8 years ago. the quality of life is solid. Still getting used to nightlife but Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
1 upvotes
Mateo Mendoza
Hot take but I love the pace of life here. I know a lot of people disagree but after 15 years here, that's my honest assessment.
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