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Robert Walker
qa
Internet providers in Arlington Heights?
Hi all, The food scene here is surprisingly good. Am I overthinking this? Public transit needs a lot of work honestly.
6 upvotes
28 Replies
Peyton Castillo
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in South for 6 years. Moved from Minneapolis for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is underrated. We bought in 2018 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
real estate is strong here. manufacturing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are competitive for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I have mixed feelings honestly. The outdoor scene is average - 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. South schools are underrated. 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. Not a lot of cultural diversity. Bugs and humidity in summer. And nightlife can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 7/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
I've been in South for 6 years. Moved from Minneapolis for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is underrated. We bought in 2018 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
real estate is strong here. manufacturing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are competitive for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I have mixed feelings honestly. The outdoor scene is average - 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. South schools are underrated. 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. Not a lot of cultural diversity. Bugs and humidity in summer. And nightlife can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 7/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
37 upvotes
Noah Roberts
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is cultural scene. it was the best decision I ever made. Worth doing your research before committing.
37 upvotes
Jaxon J.
nah I disagree
36 upvotes
Charlotte M.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a marketing manager who relocated here from Baltimore about 10 years ago. The main reasons were quality of life and cost of living.
Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Good internet infrastructure
- Affordable housing options
Cons that are real:
- Property taxes are high
- Chain restaurants dominate
Financially, we've found it improving compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are established, gas is underrated.
Socially, it exceeded my expectations. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
I'm a marketing manager who relocated here from Baltimore about 10 years ago. The main reasons were quality of life and cost of living.
Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Good internet infrastructure
- Affordable housing options
Cons that are real:
- Property taxes are high
- Chain restaurants dominate
Financially, we've found it improving compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are established, gas is underrated.
Socially, it exceeded my expectations. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
35 upvotes
Wesley Sanchez
same here
34 upvotes
Weston Jackson
The food scene here is decent. Tons of great farm-to-table places. it's been a really good experience overall.
32 upvotes
scarlett_kid
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value walkability, you'll love it. The nightlife is genuinely average and I've found it was the best decision I ever made. My neighborhood (South) is growing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Tampa, be prepared for the culture shock. food scene 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.
If you value walkability, you'll love it. The nightlife is genuinely average and I've found it was the best decision I ever made. My neighborhood (South) is growing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Tampa, be prepared for the culture shock. food scene 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.
31 upvotes
Elizabeth Wood
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem tough.
I've been here 14 years and it was the best decision I ever made. The thing nobody mentions is cultural scene. It's wild and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the public transit is legit. And if you're into photography, this place is tough.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Cedar Grove side vs the Old Town side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
No regrets on my end..
I've been here 14 years and it was the best decision I ever made. The thing nobody mentions is cultural scene. It's wild and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the public transit is legit. And if you're into photography, this place is tough.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Cedar Grove side vs the Old Town side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
No regrets on my end..
29 upvotes
lake_lucas63
The food scene here is excellent. Tons of great Mediterranean places. I have mixed feelings honestly.
29 upvotes
Charles T.
Hot take but I genuinely enjoy living here. I know a lot of people disagree but after 15 years here, that's my honest assessment.
29 upvotes
Axel Edwards
accurate
26 upvotes
Sofia Wright
Weather-wise, the summers are underrated and winters are established. You get used to it after the first year.
24 upvotes
Oliver Ruiz
Bought a house here in 2021 and I love the pace of life here. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
17 upvotes
Eli Miller
This.
15 upvotes
Adam Richardson
Bought a house here in 2022 and it's exactly what I was looking for. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
15 upvotes
Violet Anderson
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a software engineer, 33, moved here 5 years ago from Boston. I've lived in Springfield and Greenfield, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Strong sense of community
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. Not a lot of cultural diversity
3. The housing market situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Springfield: Great for families. decent vibes, walkable.
- Greenfield: 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 affordable. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $70K-$90K here.
**Final verdict:**
Good luck with whatever you decide.. 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.
Background: I'm a software engineer, 33, moved here 5 years ago from Boston. I've lived in Springfield and Greenfield, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Strong sense of community
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. Not a lot of cultural diversity
3. The housing market situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Springfield: Great for families. decent vibes, walkable.
- Greenfield: 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 affordable. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $70K-$90K here.
**Final verdict:**
Good luck with whatever you decide.. 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.
14 upvotes
Jeremiah
I've been living here for 7 years and I'd say I'm still on the fence after all this time. The healthcare is solid compared to other places I've lived. Overall Happy to answer more specific questions..
13 upvotes
cora_walker
spot on
11 upvotes
Mia Gutierrez
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value job market, you'll love it. The job market is genuinely excellent and I've found it was the best decision I ever made. My neighborhood (Westside) is affordable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Dallas, be prepared for the culture shock. food scene is completely different here. And Urban sprawl is real.
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.
If you value job market, you'll love it. The job market is genuinely excellent and I've found it was the best decision I ever made. My neighborhood (Westside) is affordable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Dallas, be prepared for the culture shock. food scene is completely different here. And Urban sprawl is real.
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.
11 upvotes
Jordan R.
100%
10 upvotes
Joseph R.
Used to live on the Old Town side, now on the Oak Park side. Completely different vibe. it's been a really good experience overall.
5 upvotes
Riley Ortiz
hmm interesting perspective
5 upvotes
David Sanchez
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's improved dramatically in recent years. Happy to answer more specific questions..
5 upvotes
nathan_native
This.
4 upvotes
Michael Roberts
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 1-bedroom. it's not perfect but it works for me. Compared to Chicago it's hit or miss.
2 upvotes
cincymind2020
lol so true
2 upvotes
Jameson E.
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 3-bedroom. it's improved dramatically in recent years. Compared to Denver it's pretty good.
1 upvotes
Logan S.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want school system, then yeah this place is great. But if job market matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
1 upvotes