Hey folks, It's a a smaller city city with about 38,495 people. Median household income is $83,251, which feels pretty solid for the area. The median home value here is around $244,600, which is actually reasonable. Homes are going for about $244,600 on average. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Should I be concerned? It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. The city has invested a lot in new development. The city has invested a lot in new development. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood.
21 upvotes
7 Replies
Mia Wilson
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem excellent.
I've been here 9 years and the quality of life is solid. The thing nobody mentions is community vibe. It's reasonable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the food scene is legit. And if you're into surfing, this place is challenging.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Cedar Grove side vs the West side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
37 upvotes
Aria W.
literally same
36 upvotes
Ezekiel Peterson
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 12 years ago from Pittsburgh and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Cedar Grove. It's pretty good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in education. If you're in manufacturing you might struggle.
People: Generally hit or miss. It took about 9 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: better than expected. Tons of options if you like Italian.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
26 upvotes
Lydia Mendoza
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Uptown for 14 years. Moved from Denver for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is average. We bought in 2020 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
construction is strong here. consulting is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are competitive for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I have mixed feelings honestly. The outdoor scene is underrated - we have hiking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Uptown schools are underrated. 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. Chain restaurants dominate. Can feel isolated. And community vibe can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 6/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
20 upvotes
Michael C.
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are improving, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
17 upvotes
Jacqueline J.
Public transit is better than expected here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's not perfect but it works for me.
10 upvotes
Eva Parker
Public transit is improving here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I'm still on the fence after all this time.
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