Longtime lurker here, I grew up here but left for a while. Average temperature is around 51--F, so expect cold winters. Household incomes average around $118,532 in Arlington Heights. The unemployment rate is 2.4%, which is pretty low. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The food scene here is surprisingly good. What would you do? The weather takes some getting used to. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The weather takes some getting used to. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that.
19 upvotes
10 Replies
Melanie
wish I knew this sooner
38 upvotes
Aaliyah Thompson
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a teacher who relocated here from Tampa about 9 years ago. The main reasons were work and a fresh start.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Active local events and festivals
Cons that are real:
- Limited public transit options
- Can feel isolated
Financially, we've found it decent compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are stable, gas is hit or miss.
Socially, it's not perfect but it works for me. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
33 upvotes
Isabelle Cook
glad someone said it
30 upvotes
Josiah B.
I'm a social worker and I've found I'm still on the fence after all this time. The community is better than expected and there's always something going on.
24 upvotes
Ian Alvarez
spot on
20 upvotes
Donna G.
We moved here with our family and I'm still on the fence after all this time. Schools in Downtown area are tough. Kids love it here.
16 upvotes
Quinn Gomez
nah I disagree
16 upvotes
Sadie Baker
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 10 years ago from New York and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in West. It's challenging for what you get.
Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in government. If you're in consulting you might struggle.
People: Generally excellent. It took about 18 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: challenging. Tons of options if you like Italian.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
14 upvotes
Jonathan Wood
The food scene here is underrated. Tons of great seafood places. it's improved dramatically in recent years.
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