First post here. I'm a college student here and It's a a mid-size city city with about 138K people. Median household income is $63,741, which feels about average for the area. Homes are going for about $181,900 on average. The city has invested a lot in new development. The weather takes some getting used to. Any advice would be great. The weather takes some getting used to. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. It's changing fast — some good, some not so much. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The weather takes some getting used to.
58 upvotes
7 Replies
Elijah Torres
The food scene here is challenging. Tons of great craft beer places. I'm still on the fence after all this time.
39 upvotes
greyson_life
Hot take but it's improved dramatically in recent years. I know a lot of people disagree but after 7 years here, that's my honest assessment.
37 upvotes
charlottepapa2023
Used to live on the Maple Ridge side, now on the Greenfield side. Completely different vibe. it's been a really good experience overall.
33 upvotes
Wyatt Roberts
My experience has been mostly positive. I'm still on the fence after all this time. The only thing I'd watch out for is school system. Other than that, No regrets on my end..
21 upvotes
Amelia Ward
Hot take but I have mixed feelings honestly. I know a lot of people disagree but after 10 years here, that's my honest assessment.
21 upvotes
detroitlocal2021
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 5 years ago from LA and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Pine Hills. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in government. If you're in healthcare you might struggle.
People: Generally average. It took about 10 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: tough. Tons of options if you like seafood.
Definitely worth checking out..
9 upvotes
Abigail
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 6 years. Moved from Phoenix for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is better than expected. We bought in 2020 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
engineering is strong here. legal is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are pricey for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it was the best decision I ever made. The outdoor scene is challenging - 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. 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. Winters are long and cold. Homeless population growing downtown. And job market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 5/10. Definitely worth checking out.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
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