Alright, Born and raised here. Poverty rate is 6.4%, which is pretty low. Rent is about $2,009/month for a decent place. The unemployment rate is 2.6%, which is pretty low. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The weather takes some getting used to. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Property taxes are high but you get good services. I'd say it's better for families than young singles.
28 upvotes
14 Replies
Ian Morgan
Hot take but I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. I know a lot of people disagree but after 4 years here, that's my honest assessment.
30 upvotes
Natalie M.
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I genuinely enjoy living here. Good luck with whatever you decide..
28 upvotes
Eleanor L.
Totally agree!
26 upvotes
Samuel F.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a accountant who relocated here from Boston about 15 years ago. The main reasons were quality of life and family.
Pros I've experienced:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Strong job market in several industries
- Lots of new development happening
Cons that are real:
- Nightlife is limited
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Financially, we've found it tough compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are stable, gas is underrated.
Socially, it's exactly what I was looking for. Happy to answer more specific questions..
24 upvotes
Lily
We moved here with our family and the quality of life is solid. Schools in Midtown area are better than expected. Kids love it here.
18 upvotes
Gabriella Ramos
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 15 years ago from Miami and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Sunset. It's better than expected for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in healthcare. If you're in education you might struggle.
People: Generally pretty good. It took about 4 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: excellent. Tons of options if you like Asian.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
18 upvotes
Ryan Parker
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 9 years ago from LA and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Oak Park. It's pretty good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in education. If you're in consulting you might struggle.
People: Generally average. It took about 14 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: decent. Tons of options if you like seafood.
Definitely worth checking out..
17 upvotes
Dylan Bennett
thanks for sharing
15 upvotes
Nicholas Bailey
been saying this for years
8 upvotes
sebastian_girl
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Old Town for 10 years. Moved from Miami for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is solid. We bought in 2019 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. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
consulting is strong here. retail is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are established for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it was the best decision I ever made. The outdoor scene is excellent - we have rivers within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Old Town schools are tough. 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. Summers can be brutally hot. Not very walkable outside downtown. And pet-friendliness can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 7/10. Definitely worth checking out.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
5 upvotes
Eliana G.
Hot take but it's not perfect but it works for me. I know a lot of people disagree but after 6 years here, that's my honest assessment.
3 upvotes
Avery R.
The food scene here is pretty good. Tons of great Italian places. I have mixed feelings honestly.
3 upvotes
Charlotte Gomez
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Meadowbrook for 9 years. Moved from Chicago for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is solid. 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. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
hospitality is strong here. hospitality is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are pricey for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it was the best decision I ever made. The outdoor scene is hit or miss - we have national forests within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Meadowbrook 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. Limited public transit options. Dating scene is rough. And school system can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 9/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
0 upvotes
Delilah
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 8 years ago from Chicago and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Midtown. It's underrated for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in finance. If you're in education you might struggle.
People: Generally excellent. It took about 11 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: excellent. Tons of options if you like Korean.
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