Hello, We have two kids and Median household income is $93,371, which feels pretty solid for the area. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Am I overthinking this? People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Property taxes are high but you get good services. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The food scene here is surprisingly good.
33 upvotes
28 Replies
Victoria P.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a chef, 57, moved here 3 years ago from Chicago. I've lived in Highland and Westside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good internet infrastructure
2. Four distinct seasons
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Dating scene is rough
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The job market situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Highland: Great for couples. better than expected 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 Chicago, everything felt underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $50K-$90K 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.
39 upvotes
Aiden Miller
noted, appreciate it
39 upvotes
Adeline Morgan
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 7 years. Moved from Salt Lake City for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is better than expected. We bought in 2018 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
legal is strong here. hospitality is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are established for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's not perfect but it works for me. The outdoor scene is improving - we have desert landscapes 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 excellent. 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. Not very walkable outside downtown. Not a lot of cultural diversity. And food scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 9/10. Would recommend to anyone considering it.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
35 upvotes
Nora Long
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 4 years ago from Houston and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Midtown. It's better than expected for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in government. If you're in finance you might struggle.
People: Generally solid. It took about 11 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: underrated. Tons of options if you like Italian.
Definitely worth checking out..
34 upvotes
Bella Clark
glad someone said it
34 upvotes
Aaron H.
I work in hospitality here and the quality of life is solid. The job market for my field is solid. Happy to answer more specific questions..
33 upvotes
Peyton Turner
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a lawyer, 40, moved here 6 years ago from Raleigh. I've lived in Lakewood and South, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Close to major attractions
4. The people are generally hit or miss - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The safety situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Lakewood: Great for remote workers. challenging vibes, walkable.
- South: 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 hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $60K-$150K 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.
31 upvotes
Willie M.
Hot take but it's exactly what I was looking for. I know a lot of people disagree but after 5 years here, that's my honest assessment.
30 upvotes
Noah C.
thanks for sharing
28 upvotes
Jordan B.
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 Boston for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is surprisingly good. We bought in 2015 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
consulting is strong here. tech 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 love the pace of life here. 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 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. Winters are long and cold. Not a lot of cultural diversity. And weather can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 8/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
26 upvotes
Samuel Wood
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a marketing manager, 43, moved here 14 years ago from Dallas. I've lived in West and Midtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Active local events and festivals
2. Affordable housing options
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally hit or miss - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Nightlife is limited
2. Limited shopping options
3. The school system situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- West: Great for young professionals. average 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 Dallas, everything felt solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $100K-$110K 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.
26 upvotes
Terry N.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want job market, then yeah this place is great. But if community vibe matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
22 upvotes
Arianna Parker
lol so true
22 upvotes
Carson Kelly
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it exceeded my expectations. Definitely worth checking out..
20 upvotes
Connor Cook
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value community vibe, you'll love it. The traffic is genuinely tough and I've found I genuinely enjoy living here. My neighborhood (Springfield) is reasonable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Portland, be prepared for the culture shock. traffic 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.
17 upvotes
Mia E.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a HR manager, 27, moved here 5 years ago from Salt Lake City. I've lived in East and Maple Ridge, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good healthcare facilities
2. Active local events and festivals
3. Close to major attractions
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Nightlife is limited
2. Not a lot of cultural diversity
3. The community vibe situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- East: Great for families. surprisingly good vibes, walkable.
- Maple Ridge: 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 Salt Lake City, everything felt hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $40K-$120K here.
**Final verdict:**
No regrets on my end.. 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.
17 upvotes
Ian Williams
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Highland for 13 years. Moved from Raleigh for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is underrated. We bought in 2017 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
consulting is strong here. hospitality 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:**
it's not perfect but it works for me. The outdoor scene is better than expected - we have biking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Highland 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. Not very walkable outside downtown. Limited entertainment options. And traffic can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 8/10. Would recommend to anyone considering it.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
16 upvotes
Isabelle Morales
Used to live on the Downtown side, now on the The Heights side. Completely different vibe. I'm still on the fence after all this time.
16 upvotes
Kinsley Wood
As someone who grew up here, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. A lot has changed in the past few years though. housing market used to be much manageable but now it's average.
15 upvotes
Ezekiel Allen
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value traffic, you'll love it. The food scene is genuinely pretty good and I've found it's not perfect but it works for me. My neighborhood (The Heights) is competitive and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from San Francisco, be prepared for the culture shock. healthcare 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.
15 upvotes
Kai Allen
Bought a house here in 2016 and the quality of life is solid. Property values have gone about the same since then.
14 upvotes
Lydia
yep
13 upvotes
Silas Thompson
seconding this
10 upvotes
Violet Castillo
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 3-bedroom. it was the best decision I ever made. Compared to LA it's solid.
8 upvotes
Carol R.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 8 years ago from Denver and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Downtown. It's pretty good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in finance. If you're in government you might struggle.
People: Generally average. It took about 9 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: better than expected. Tons of options if you like Asian.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
7 upvotes
Skylar Rivera
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's been a really good experience overall. Internet is improving in most areas.
7 upvotes
Reagan Martinez
Bought a house here in 2023 and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Property values have gone about the same since then.
3 upvotes
Claire
I've lived in Pine Hills for about 11 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it exceeded my expectations. When I first moved here from Denver, I was surprised by school system. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Active local events and festivals
- The cost of living scene is underrated
The downsides:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Nightlife is limited
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for couples. Definitely worth checking out..
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