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Nicholas Sanders
jobs
Starting a business in Arlington Heights?
Random thought, Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable.
28 upvotes
13 Replies
dominic_fan
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value community vibe, you'll love it. The cultural scene is genuinely improving and I've found it was the best decision I ever made. My neighborhood (Springfield) is growing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Austin, be prepared for the culture shock. school system is completely different here. And Rising rent and home prices.
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 community vibe, you'll love it. The cultural scene is genuinely improving and I've found it was the best decision I ever made. My neighborhood (Springfield) is growing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Austin, be prepared for the culture shock. school system is completely different here. And Rising rent and home prices.
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.
38 upvotes
nolalocal2021
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a project manager, 51, moved here 8 years ago from Portland. I've lived in Midtown and West, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Active local events and festivals
2. Affordable housing options
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. Urban sprawl is real
2. Limited shopping options
3. The healthcare situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Midtown: Great for young professionals. surprisingly good vibes, walkable.
- West: 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 Portland, everything felt decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $50K-$120K here.
**Final verdict:**
Would recommend to anyone considering it.. 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 project manager, 51, moved here 8 years ago from Portland. I've lived in Midtown and West, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Active local events and festivals
2. Affordable housing options
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. Urban sprawl is real
2. Limited shopping options
3. The healthcare situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Midtown: Great for young professionals. surprisingly good vibes, walkable.
- West: 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 Portland, everything felt decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $50K-$120K here.
**Final verdict:**
Would recommend to anyone considering it.. 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.
36 upvotes
Roman Alvarez
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a marketing manager who relocated here from Salt Lake City about 12 years ago. The main reasons were cost of living and cost of living.
Pros I've experienced:
- Lots of new development happening
- Close to major attractions
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Homeless population growing downtown
- Limited entertainment options
Financially, we've found it average compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are growing, gas is underrated.
Socially, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. No regrets on my end..
I'm a marketing manager who relocated here from Salt Lake City about 12 years ago. The main reasons were cost of living and cost of living.
Pros I've experienced:
- Lots of new development happening
- Close to major attractions
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Homeless population growing downtown
- Limited entertainment options
Financially, we've found it average compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are growing, gas is underrated.
Socially, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. No regrets on my end..
31 upvotes
Ezra Allen
I've lived in The Heights for about 15 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I genuinely enjoy living here. When I first moved here from Charlotte, I was surprised by healthcare. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Affordable housing options
- Diverse dining options
- The public transit scene is solid
The downsides:
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
- Limited entertainment options
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for families. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
I genuinely enjoy living here. When I first moved here from Charlotte, I was surprised by healthcare. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Affordable housing options
- Diverse dining options
- The public transit scene is solid
The downsides:
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
- Limited entertainment options
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for families. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
30 upvotes
Benjamin Watson
Moved here last year, no regrets.
19 upvotes
Lillian White
exactly what I was thinking
14 upvotes
Oliver Watson
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a lawyer who relocated here from San Francisco about 15 years ago. The main reasons were a job opportunity and weather.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Good airport with direct flights
Cons that are real:
- Road conditions need improvement
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Financially, we've found it solid compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are growing, gas is better than expected.
Socially, I'm still on the fence after all this time. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
I'm a lawyer who relocated here from San Francisco about 15 years ago. The main reasons were a job opportunity and weather.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Good airport with direct flights
Cons that are real:
- Road conditions need improvement
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Financially, we've found it solid compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are growing, gas is better than expected.
Socially, I'm still on the fence after all this time. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
12 upvotes
Stephanie N.
We moved here with our family and I genuinely enjoy living here. Schools in South area are challenging. Kids love it here.
11 upvotes
Chloe W.
100%
10 upvotes
Joseph T.
As someone who grew up here, it's not perfect but it works for me. A lot has changed in the past few years though. housing market used to be much growing but now it's surprisingly good.
5 upvotes
mesafan2020
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value cultural scene, you'll love it. The public transit is genuinely improving and I've found the quality of life is solid. My neighborhood (Old Town) is developing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from LA, be prepared for the culture shock. cultural scene is completely different here. And Winters are long and cold.
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 cultural scene, you'll love it. The public transit is genuinely improving and I've found the quality of life is solid. My neighborhood (Old Town) is developing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from LA, be prepared for the culture shock. cultural scene is completely different here. And Winters are long and cold.
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.
5 upvotes
Katherine K.
I'm a sales manager and I've found I genuinely enjoy living here. The community is excellent and there's always something going on.
5 upvotes
madeline_life
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a sales manager, 54, moved here 10 years ago from Denver. I've lived in Westside and Cedar Grove, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Good airport with direct flights
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Rising rent and home prices
2. Can feel isolated
3. The outdoor recreation situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Westside: Great for retirees. surprisingly good vibes, walkable.
- Cedar Grove: 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 underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $90K-$130K here.
**Final verdict:**
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. 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 sales manager, 54, moved here 10 years ago from Denver. I've lived in Westside and Cedar Grove, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Good airport with direct flights
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Rising rent and home prices
2. Can feel isolated
3. The outdoor recreation situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Westside: Great for retirees. surprisingly good vibes, walkable.
- Cedar Grove: 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 underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $90K-$130K here.
**Final verdict:**
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. 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.
2 upvotes