Hey, Been living here since 2016. The median home value here is around $375,300, which seems about average. Median household income is $71,302, which feels about average for the area. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The weather takes some getting used to. Thoughts? The city has invested a lot in new development. The suburbs are where most families end up. The city has invested a lot in new development. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The city has invested a lot in new development.
11 upvotes
15 Replies
Katherine B.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 8 years ago from Nashville and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Oak Park. It's pretty good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in real estate. If you're in tech you might struggle.
People: Generally surprisingly good. It took about 6 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: pretty good. Tons of options if you like Asian.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
40 upvotes
Mackenzie Green
Used to live on the North side, now on the East side. Completely different vibe. I love the pace of life here.
40 upvotes
Waylon Thompson
Weather-wise, the summers are challenging and winters are affordable. You get used to it after the first year.
28 upvotes
Naomi Nelson
yeah no that's not right
28 upvotes
Lucy Alvarez
underrated comment
27 upvotes
Scarlett Ruiz
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's improved dramatically in recent years. Internet is underrated in most areas.
27 upvotes
Laura W.
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 1-bedroom. I have mixed feelings honestly. Compared to Tampa it's average.
25 upvotes
Eleanor C.
yeah no that's not right
23 upvotes
Hunter Gray
I've lived in Sunset for about 11 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's been a really good experience overall. When I first moved here from San Diego, I was surprised by school system. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good schools in most areas
- Good healthcare facilities
- The nightlife scene is excellent
The downsides:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Winters are long and cold
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for retirees. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
14 upvotes
Maverick
honestly same experience here
12 upvotes
Grace Long
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want walkability, then yeah this place is great. But if pet-friendliness matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
8 upvotes
detroit_hunter
Moved here from Salt Lake City about 1 years ago. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Still getting used to healthcare but Definitely worth checking out..
8 upvotes
Adam Adams
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, the quality of life is solid. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
3 upvotes
Angel Price
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a project manager, 55, moved here 1 years ago from Charlotte. I've lived in Downtown and Lakewood, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Four distinct seasons
3. Close to major attractions
4. The people are generally excellent - 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 public transit situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Downtown: Great for remote workers. decent 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 Charlotte, everything felt hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $50K-$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.
2 upvotes
Cooper Cruz
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 10 years. Moved from Atlanta for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is solid. 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 2-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
real estate is strong here. real estate is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are developing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
the quality of life is solid. The outdoor scene is challenging - 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. Can feel isolated. Far from beaches/mountains. And cultural scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 5/10. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
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