Hey folks, Rent is about $1,291/month for a decent place. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Would love some local perspective.
23 upvotes
27 Replies
Violet T.
honestly same experience here
38 upvotes
Leah Torres
interesting, hadn't considered that
35 upvotes
Eleanor
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a sales manager, 52, moved here 15 years ago from Minneapolis. I've lived in Downtown and Westside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Low crime in most neighborhoods
2. Active local events and festivals
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally average - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The walkability situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Downtown: Great for couples. excellent 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 Minneapolis, everything felt improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $50K-$80K here.
**Final verdict:**
Hope this helps!. 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.
33 upvotes
Nolan Green
I work in engineering here and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The job market for my field is better than expected. Good luck with whatever you decide..
32 upvotes
Emma
My experience has been mostly positive. I love the pace of life here. The only thing I'd watch out for is housing market. Other than that, Feel free to reach out with questions..
32 upvotes
Hannah Young
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem hit or miss.
I've been here 15 years and it exceeded my expectations. The thing nobody mentions is walkability. It's affordable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the food scene is legit. And if you're into photography, this place is tough.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Eastside side vs the Cedar Grove side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
31 upvotes
Brielle C.
I've been living here for 10 years and I'd say I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The walkability is improving compared to other places I've lived. Overall Hope this helps!.
31 upvotes
Ella Reed
yep
27 upvotes
Jack
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's improved dramatically in recent years. Internet is excellent in most areas.
26 upvotes
Jose C.
accurate
23 upvotes
Brielle S.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value dating scene, you'll love it. The nightlife is genuinely surprisingly good and I've found I genuinely enjoy living here. My neighborhood (Greenfield) is affordable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Chicago, be prepared for the culture shock. safety is completely different here. And Limited public transit options.
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.
22 upvotes
Teresa P.
Hot take but the quality of life is solid. I know a lot of people disagree but after 14 years here, that's my honest assessment.
21 upvotes
savannah_kid
I'm a HR manager and I've found I genuinely enjoy living here. The community is better than expected and there's always something going on.
20 upvotes
Andrew
Public transit is improving here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it exceeded my expectations.
19 upvotes
Benjamin S.
I work in education here and it exceeded my expectations. The job market for my field is challenging. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
17 upvotes
Joseph Long
couldn't agree more
17 upvotes
Paisley Sanders
as a local I can confirm
12 upvotes
Kayla M.
hmm interesting perspective
12 upvotes
Benjamin R.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem average.
I've been here 2 years and I genuinely enjoy living here. The thing nobody mentions is job market. It's stable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the nightlife is legit. And if you're into camping, this place is pretty good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Midtown side vs the Old Town side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
No regrets on my end..
8 upvotes
Brielle S.
seconding this
6 upvotes
Aurora Gray
glad someone said it
5 upvotes
Bella
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want housing market, then yeah this place is great. But if nightlife matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
4 upvotes
Lillian Thomas
I work in consulting here and I love the pace of life here. The job market for my field is decent. Definitely worth checking out..
4 upvotes
Melanie D.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem tough.
I've been here 9 years and it's improved dramatically in recent years. The thing nobody mentions is pet-friendliness. It's pricey and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the food scene is legit. And if you're into hiking, this place is excellent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Riverside side vs the Lakewood side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
4 upvotes
Adeline Allen
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want walkability, then yeah this place is great. But if dating scene matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
3 upvotes
quinn_local
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 14 years. Moved from Raleigh 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 up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
tech is strong here. government is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are manageable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I have mixed feelings honestly. The outdoor scene is tough - 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. Cedar Grove schools are challenging. 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. Winters are long and cold. Far from beaches/mountains. And public transit can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 7/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
2 upvotes
Genesis C.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a real estate agent, 52, moved here 15 years ago from Austin. I've lived in East and Cedar Grove, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Low crime in most neighborhoods
2. Good airport with direct flights
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally solid - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited high-paying job options
2. Chain restaurants dominate
3. The safety situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- East: Great for families. pretty good 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 Austin, everything felt decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $40K-$110K here.
**Final verdict:**
It's not for everyone but it works for us.. 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.
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