Been meaning to ask this. Born and raised here. Average temperature is around 52--F, so expect cold winters. The median home value here is around $96,700, which is actually reasonable. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. What would you do? TIA! Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. I'd say it's better for families than young singles.
15 upvotes
8 Replies
Stella White
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 15 years ago from Seattle and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Maple Ridge. It's improving for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in finance. If you're in manufacturing you might struggle.
People: Generally pretty good. It took about 4 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: improving. Tons of options if you like Vietnamese.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
38 upvotes
Andrew Morales
Public transit is hit or miss here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it exceeded my expectations.
36 upvotes
Reagan Martinez
it depends on the neighborhood
30 upvotes
Weston Edwards
I work in hospitality here and it's improved dramatically in recent years. The job market for my field is improving. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
27 upvotes
Hudson Brooks
glad someone said it
18 upvotes
Avery Walker
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in West for 15 years. Moved from Denver for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is improving. We bought in 2018 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
government is strong here. manufacturing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are wild for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's not perfect but it works for me. The outdoor scene is solid - we have ski resorts within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. West schools are challenging. 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. Homeless population growing downtown. And housing market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 5/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
13 upvotes
Owen T.
Used to live on the Springfield side, now on the Oak Park side. Completely different vibe. it's exactly what I was looking for.
8 upvotes
Jacob C.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Midtown for 9 years. Moved from Chicago for family. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is tough. We bought in 2019 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
engineering is strong here. retail is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are reasonable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
the quality of life is solid. The outdoor scene is decent - we have ski resorts within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Midtown schools are hit or miss. 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. Limited shopping options. Limited entertainment options. And traffic can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 7/10. It's not for everyone but it works for us.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
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