First post here. Been living here since 2023. Poverty rate is 16.0%, which is higher than I expected. The unemployment rate is 9.8%, which is concerning. Homes are going for about $146,700 on average. The weather takes some getting used to. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Worth the trade-offs? Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years.
15 upvotes
7 Replies
Grayson Allen
Moved here from Austin about 1 years ago. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Still getting used to pet-friendliness but No regrets on my end..
39 upvotes
Eva Wilson
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem hit or miss.
I've been here 14 years and it's been a really good experience overall. The thing nobody mentions is public transit. It's pricey and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the traffic is legit. And if you're into camping, this place is tough.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Westside side vs the Oak Park side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Definitely worth checking out..
38 upvotes
Levi Garcia
Hot take but it exceeded my expectations. I know a lot of people disagree but after 13 years here, that's my honest assessment.
33 upvotes
Janet C.
bump
25 upvotes
mesaguy2022
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 6 years ago from Minneapolis and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Riverside. It's challenging for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in education. If you're in construction you might struggle.
People: Generally underrated. It took about 12 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: underrated. Tons of options if you like Southern.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
25 upvotes
Isaiah Wright
facts
1 upvotes
Waylon Adams
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value school system, you'll love it. The cost of living is genuinely pretty good and I've found I genuinely enjoy living here. My neighborhood (Highland) is manageable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Charlotte, be prepared for the culture shock. pet-friendliness 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.
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