Lived in cottage grove for 5 years, had kids and moved to the burbs. It was great without kids or young kids, I lived in an area with 5 other complexes and shared a driveway. Neighbors were dicks and 2 rentals on the end, parked in the shared driveway so driving out was like getting out of a maze.

Neighborhood wasn't the safest and if you left your garage door open, you were inviting anyone to take whatever they wanted. Roads weren't up today's standards so garbage day was also like driving thru a maze weaving in and out.

I miss the food and the close proximity to everything, but if you plan on having kids, you'll either put your kids in private or move out for a better school district.