First post here. I'm a nurse at the local hospital and The median home value here is around $205,500, which is actually reasonable. The weather takes some getting used to. Does this match your experience? The city has invested a lot in new development.
6 upvotes
25 Replies
Everett Parker
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a chef who relocated here from San Diego about 13 years ago. The main reasons were work and school.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Decent public transit for the size
Cons that are real:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Limited public transit options
Financially, we've found it better than expected compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are growing, gas is pretty good.
Socially, it's improved dramatically in recent years. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
40 upvotes
Luna
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 4-bedroom. I genuinely enjoy living here. Compared to San Francisco it's improving.
36 upvotes
cool_quinn38
Hot take but it was the best decision I ever made. I know a lot of people disagree but after 2 years here, that's my honest assessment.
33 upvotes
Noah Anderson
spot on
33 upvotes
Natalie P.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem pretty good.
I've been here 1 years and it's exactly what I was looking for. The thing nobody mentions is nightlife. It's affordable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the traffic is legit. And if you're into biking, this place is underrated.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Oak Park side vs the Old Town side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
32 upvotes
sdpapa2022
wish I knew this sooner
32 upvotes
Jacob Hughes
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a physical therapist, 31, moved here 13 years ago from Minneapolis. I've lived in Cedar Grove and Riverside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Low crime in most neighborhoods
3. Close to major attractions
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Not a lot of cultural diversity
3. The walkability situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Cedar Grove: Great for singles. pretty good vibes, walkable.
- Riverside: More affordable, family-friendly.
**Neighborhoods I'd avoid:**
- Without naming names, stay away from areas east of downtown until you know the city better.
**Cost comparison:**
Coming from Minneapolis, everything felt challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $50K-$130K here.
**Final verdict:**
Happy to answer more specific questions.. It's not perfect - nowhere is - but for the price point and quality of life, it's hard to beat. DM me if you have specific questions.
31 upvotes
Lillian Kelly
seconding this
29 upvotes
Brandon M.
same here
28 upvotes
Paisley Harris
Public transit is surprisingly good here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I genuinely enjoy living here.
27 upvotes
Nathan D.
I've lived in Pine Hills for about 1 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it was the best decision I ever made. When I first moved here from New York, I was surprised by pet-friendliness. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Affordable housing options
- The housing market scene is solid
The downsides:
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
- Limited entertainment options
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for remote workers. Feel free to reach out with questions..
24 upvotes
Harper Gray
hard disagree but ok
24 upvotes
Nevaeh Sanders
The food scene here is excellent. Tons of great Indian places. I genuinely enjoy living here.
23 upvotes
Grayson Reyes
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Eastside for 2 years. Moved from Minneapolis for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is better than expected. We bought in 2022 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
construction is strong here. tech is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are affordable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's not perfect but it works for me. The outdoor scene is average - we have lakes within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Eastside schools are improving. 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. Traffic during rush hour is rough. Limited high-paying job options. And walkability can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 6/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
21 upvotes
Jose Myers
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a sales manager, 48, moved here 11 years ago from Boston. I've lived in Springfield and Westside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Decent public transit for the size
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Active local events and festivals
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not a lot of cultural diversity
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The healthcare situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Springfield: Great for families. excellent vibes, walkable.
- Westside: More affordable, family-friendly.
**Neighborhoods I'd avoid:**
- Without naming names, stay away from areas east of downtown until you know the city better.
**Cost comparison:**
Coming from Boston, everything felt solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $90K-$120K here.
**Final verdict:**
It's not for everyone but it works for us.. It's not perfect - nowhere is - but for the price point and quality of life, it's hard to beat. DM me if you have specific questions.
12 upvotes
Jose H.
underrated comment
10 upvotes
Sofia
I work in marketing here and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The job market for my field is decent. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
9 upvotes
Angel Robinson
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a marketing manager, 50, moved here 10 years ago from Nashville. I've lived in Westside and North, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Low crime in most neighborhoods
3. Lots of new development happening
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Bugs and humidity in summer
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The food scene situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Westside: Great for retirees. average vibes, walkable.
- North: More affordable, family-friendly.
**Neighborhoods I'd avoid:**
- Without naming names, stay away from areas east of downtown until you know the city better.
**Cost comparison:**
Coming from Nashville, everything felt challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $80K-$100K here.
**Final verdict:**
No regrets on my end.. It's not perfect - nowhere is - but for the price point and quality of life, it's hard to beat. DM me if you have specific questions.
8 upvotes
Caroline Young
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value community vibe, you'll love it. The outdoor recreation is genuinely underrated and I've found it's been a really good experience overall. My neighborhood (Lakewood) is affordable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Dallas, be prepared for the culture shock. outdoor recreation is completely different here. And Limited shopping 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.
7 upvotes
Adam Sanders
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are improving, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
6 upvotes
Ariana Morris
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a marketing manager, 36, moved here 7 years ago from San Diego. I've lived in Westside and Lakewood, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Diverse dining options
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Rising rent and home prices
3. The public transit situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Westside: Great for remote workers. excellent vibes, walkable.
- Lakewood: More affordable, family-friendly.
**Neighborhoods I'd avoid:**
- Without naming names, stay away from areas east of downtown until you know the city better.
**Cost comparison:**
Coming from San Diego, everything felt excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $70K-$120K here.
**Final verdict:**
Definitely worth checking out.. It's not perfect - nowhere is - but for the price point and quality of life, it's hard to beat. DM me if you have specific questions.
6 upvotes
Teresa S.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a electrician, 24, moved here 11 years ago from San Francisco. I've lived in North and Oak Park, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Lots of new development happening
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally hit or miss - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited high-paying job options
2. Property taxes are high
3. The weather situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- North: Great for remote workers. underrated vibes, walkable.
- Oak Park: More affordable, family-friendly.
**Neighborhoods I'd avoid:**
- Without naming names, stay away from areas east of downtown until you know the city better.
**Cost comparison:**
Coming from San Francisco, everything felt hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $40K-$100K here.
**Final verdict:**
Happy to answer more specific questions.. It's not perfect - nowhere is - but for the price point and quality of life, it's hard to beat. DM me if you have specific questions.
3 upvotes
sf_ezra
Moved here last year, no regrets.
1 upvotes
Susan C.
bump
0 upvotes
Jose Bailey
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value housing market, you'll love it. The food scene is genuinely better than expected and I've found it's been a really good experience overall. My neighborhood (Highland) is growing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Denver, be prepared for the culture shock. traffic is completely different here. And Traffic during rush hour is rough.
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.
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