Curious what people think. I'm a teacher here and Rent is about $738/month for a decent place. Median household income is $76,850, which feels about average for the area. You can expect to pay around $738 for rent here. Homes are going for about $145,100 on average. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Property taxes are high but you get good services. What are your go-to spots? Appreciate any input. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. I'd say it's better for families than young singles.
11 upvotes
9 Replies
Aubrey Sanders
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I have mixed feelings honestly. Internet is underrated in most areas.
34 upvotes
Evan Wright
Weather-wise, the summers are decent and winters are reasonable. You get used to it after the first year.
33 upvotes
Gabriel Reyes
preach
32 upvotes
Natalie Chavez
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value food scene, you'll love it. The housing market is genuinely underrated and I've found it's been a really good experience overall. My neighborhood (Riverside) is competitive and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Houston, be prepared for the culture shock. cultural scene 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.
30 upvotes
Alexa Lopez
Used to live on the Highland side, now on the Oak Park side. Completely different vibe. it exceeded my expectations.
25 upvotes
Elizabeth Brown
As someone who grew up here, it's been a really good experience overall. A lot has changed in the past few years though. traffic used to be much pricey but now it's challenging.
25 upvotes
lasoul2022
I'm a electrician and I've found the quality of life is solid. The community is improving and there's always something going on.
18 upvotes
Carson Patel
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a pharmacist, 24, moved here 15 years ago from Denver. I've lived in Sunset and Downtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Decent public transit for the size
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally average - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Property taxes are high
3. The outdoor recreation situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Sunset: Great for couples. surprisingly good vibes, walkable.
- Downtown: 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 Denver, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $100K-$140K here.
**Final verdict:**
Hope this helps!. 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.
13 upvotes
Asher King
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value walkability, you'll love it. The dating scene is genuinely tough and I've found there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. My neighborhood (Lakewood) is stable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Phoenix, be prepared for the culture shock. outdoor recreation is completely different here. And Limited public transit 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.
All Countries
