Not sure if this has been asked before, but Median household income is $141,440, which feels pretty solid for the area. You can expect to pay around $2,043 for rent here. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. What are your go-to spots?
15 upvotes
17 Replies
Natalie
+1
36 upvotes
Jose Roberts
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem pretty good.
I've been here 8 years and it was the best decision I ever made. The thing nobody mentions is cost of living. It's stable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the dating scene is legit. And if you're into hiking, this place is excellent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Fairview side vs the Highland side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
35 upvotes
Kevin R.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem hit or miss.
I've been here 7 years and it was the best decision I ever made. The thing nobody mentions is housing market. It's manageable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the job market is legit. And if you're into biking, this place is hit or miss.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The North side vs the Oak Park side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Hope this helps!.
35 upvotes
Joseph
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a lawyer, 54, moved here 4 years ago from LA. I've lived in The Heights and North, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Great outdoor activities nearby
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Urban sprawl is real
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The food scene situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- The Heights: Great for young professionals. decent vibes, walkable.
- North: 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 LA, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $50K-$150K here.
**Final verdict:**
No regrets on my end.. 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.
35 upvotes
Arthur S.
accurate
34 upvotes
ruby_girl
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are underrated, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
33 upvotes
Hunter Walker
yeah no that's not right
29 upvotes
Eliana Chavez
The food scene here is better than expected. Tons of great Italian places. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now.
22 upvotes
genesis_mind
Hot take but the quality of life is solid. I know a lot of people disagree but after 12 years here, that's my honest assessment.
21 upvotes
Mia Cox
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a software engineer, 55, moved here 12 years ago from Minneapolis. I've lived in Maple Ridge and Lakewood, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Great outdoor activities nearby
3. Good internet infrastructure
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited high-paying job options
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The cultural scene situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Maple Ridge: Great for retirees. challenging vibes, walkable.
- Lakewood: 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 Minneapolis, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $80K-$80K here.
**Final verdict:**
Happy to answer more specific questions.. 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.
21 upvotes
Everly
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 3-bedroom. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Compared to Phoenix it's underrated.
21 upvotes
Audrey Morales
As someone who grew up here, I love the pace of life here. A lot has changed in the past few years though. school system used to be much wild but now it's decent.
16 upvotes
William
My experience has been mostly positive. I'm still on the fence after all this time. The only thing I'd watch out for is pet-friendliness. Other than that, Definitely worth checking out..
16 upvotes
Gabriella Anderson
haha yep pretty much
15 upvotes
lasoul2022
Hot take but there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. I know a lot of people disagree but after 5 years here, that's my honest assessment.
8 upvotes
Brenda R.
wish I knew this sooner
7 upvotes
Zoe Ruiz
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem improving.
I've been here 15 years and I genuinely enjoy living here. The thing nobody mentions is outdoor recreation. It's competitive and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the healthcare is legit. And if you're into golfing, this place is pretty good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The West side vs the East side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
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