Westfield quality of life -am I missing something?
Hey everyone, Rent is about $1,526/month for a decent place. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. What would you do?
6 upvotes
13 Replies
Robert R.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 1 years ago from Tampa and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Oak Park. It's better than expected for what you get.
Jobs: The market is manageable right now, especially in marketing. If you're in finance you might struggle.
People: Generally excellent. It took about 9 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: better than expected. Tons of options if you like Korean.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
39 upvotes
Robert Howard
not my experience at all
34 upvotes
Emmett H.
thanks for sharing
31 upvotes
Willow Thomas
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a real estate agent who relocated here from Nashville about 6 years ago. The main reasons were family and a job opportunity.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good schools in most areas
- Good healthcare facilities
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Winters are long and cold
- Rising rent and home prices
Financially, we've found it tough compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are pricey, gas is excellent.
Socially, it's exactly what I was looking for. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
29 upvotes
Joshua Sanders
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 12 years. Moved from Raleigh for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is decent. We bought in 2017 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
consulting 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:**
the quality of life is solid. The outdoor scene is average - 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. Cedar Grove schools are surprisingly 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. Not a lot of cultural diversity. And healthcare can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 6/10. It's not for everyone but it works for us.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
25 upvotes
Elena Harris
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are hit or miss, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
23 upvotes
Jace
Used to live on the Uptown side, now on the Sunset side. Completely different vibe. it's exactly what I was looking for.
22 upvotes
Nova H.
Hot take but it's exactly what I was looking for. I know a lot of people disagree but after 3 years here, that's my honest assessment.
18 upvotes
Zoe Reed
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, the quality of life is solid. No regrets on my end..
13 upvotes
Kinsley Reed
Came here for my partner's job and stayed because it exceeded my expectations. The healthcare is honestly underrated and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
12 upvotes
Jackson Miller
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value walkability, you'll love it. The weather is genuinely underrated and I've found it exceeded my expectations. My neighborhood (Oak Park) is reasonable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Miami, be prepared for the culture shock. cost of living is completely different here. And Limited high-paying job 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.
11 upvotes
Isabelle
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 2 years ago from Charlotte and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Riverside. It's challenging for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in retail. If you're in healthcare you might struggle.
People: Generally underrated. It took about 12 months to build a solid friend group.
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