Hey folks, Median household income is $47,102, which feels on the lower side for the area. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The city has invested a lot in new development. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look.
27 upvotes
27 Replies
Wyatt Kim
accurate
39 upvotes
maverick_mama
As someone who grew up here, it's been a really good experience overall. A lot has changed in the past few years though. cultural scene used to be much pricey but now it's decent.
38 upvotes
Leo Smith
As someone who grew up here, it's not perfect but it works for me. A lot has changed in the past few years though. community vibe used to be much manageable but now it's tough.
37 upvotes
Mia Thompson
I'm a writer and I've found I'm still on the fence after all this time. The community is decent and there's always something going on.
34 upvotes
Jack Hughes
spot on
33 upvotes
Claire Kim
100%
33 upvotes
mia_local
great question, following
32 upvotes
Adeline Jimenez
Public transit is tough here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's exactly what I was looking for.
32 upvotes
Cameron King
I work in consulting here and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The job market for my field is solid. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
32 upvotes
santiago_lover
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Internet is decent in most areas.
30 upvotes
Carson H.
underrated comment
28 upvotes
Janet R.
Weather-wise, the summers are hit or miss and winters are reasonable. You get used to it after the first year.
26 upvotes
Eleanor Clark
couldn't agree more
25 upvotes
Addison Evans
yep
25 upvotes
Adam L.
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are improving, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
24 upvotes
Luca White
Public transit is decent here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it was the best decision I ever made.
22 upvotes
Maverick Foster
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is job market. I genuinely enjoy living here. Worth doing your research before committing.
21 upvotes
Riley Lee
I'm a accountant and I've found I have mixed feelings honestly. The community is average and there's always something going on.
21 upvotes
Amelia Perez
The food scene here is improving. Tons of great seafood places. I have mixed feelings honestly.
20 upvotes
Quinn Young
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a accountant who relocated here from Houston about 10 years ago. The main reasons were cost of living and retirement.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Good schools in most areas
- Good healthcare facilities
Cons that are real:
- Winters are long and cold
- Chain restaurants dominate
Financially, we've found it pretty good compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are wild, gas is better than expected.
Socially, I genuinely enjoy living here. Definitely worth checking out..
18 upvotes
Aiden B.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's improved dramatically in recent years. Internet is solid in most areas.
16 upvotes
Zoey Hernandez
Weather-wise, the summers are better than expected and winters are stable. You get used to it after the first year.
8 upvotes
chill_jaxon92
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 14 years ago from LA and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Oak Park. It's decent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in manufacturing. If you're in engineering you might struggle.
People: Generally better than expected. It took about 11 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: underrated. Tons of options if you like Italian.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
4 upvotes
Owen Ramirez
I've lived in Cedar Grove for about 15 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. When I first moved here from Phoenix, I was surprised by traffic. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good healthcare facilities
- Lots of new development happening
- The pet-friendliness scene is challenging
The downsides:
- Limited high-paying job options
- Homeless population growing downtown
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for remote workers. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
1 upvotes
Jordan Ross
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are challenging, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
0 upvotes
Skylar Thomas
I've lived in Lakewood for about 9 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it exceeded my expectations. When I first moved here from Dallas, I was surprised by housing market. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good schools in most areas
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- The walkability scene is decent
The downsides:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Urban sprawl is real
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for families. Definitely worth checking out..
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