Alright, I'm a teacher here and Poverty rate is 12.0%, which is around average. Homes are going for about $369,800 on average. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. What neighborhoods would you suggest? Night life is decent if you know the right spots.
19 upvotes
19 Replies
Scarlett Baker
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 7 years ago from Tampa and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Westside. It's hit or miss for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in finance. If you're in marketing you might struggle.
People: Generally hit or miss. It took about 14 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: better than expected. Tons of options if you like Mediterranean.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
40 upvotes
Willow Collins
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a pharmacist who relocated here from Tampa about 7 years ago. The main reasons were quality of life and retirement.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
Cons that are real:
- Property taxes are high
- Can feel isolated
Financially, we've found it decent compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are affordable, gas is tough.
Socially, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
37 upvotes
Abigail
great question, following
34 upvotes
Scarlett Reed
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 4-bedroom. it was the best decision I ever made. Compared to Salt Lake City it's underrated.
32 upvotes
Christian T.
I work in marketing here and it exceeded my expectations. The job market for my field is underrated. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
30 upvotes
Albert D.
This.
28 upvotes
Declan Jimenez
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 10 years ago from San Diego and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Midtown. It's excellent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in legal. If you're in real estate you might struggle.
People: Generally improving. It took about 6 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: tough. Tons of options if you like seafood.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
25 upvotes
James Gomez
We moved here with our family and it exceeded my expectations. Schools in Old Town area are excellent. Kids love it here.
24 upvotes
Isabelle G.
exactly what I was thinking
24 upvotes
Abigail B.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a real estate agent who relocated here from Baltimore about 10 years ago. The main reasons were a fresh start and retirement.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Active local events and festivals
- Good airport with direct flights
Cons that are real:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Not very walkable outside downtown
Financially, we've found it pretty good compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are developing, gas is underrated.
Socially, it exceeded my expectations. Hope this helps!.
20 upvotes
Chloe S.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Internet is solid in most areas.
20 upvotes
Paisley M.
noted, appreciate it
16 upvotes
Hailey A.
I'm a pharmacist and I've found I'm still on the fence after all this time. The community is underrated and there's always something going on.
15 upvotes
Zoe Wright
Hot take but I have mixed feelings honestly. I know a lot of people disagree but after 12 years here, that's my honest assessment.
12 upvotes
Kaylee Cruz
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a real estate agent, 36, moved here 6 years ago from Houston. I've lived in Sunset and Eastside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Low crime in most neighborhoods
3. Strong job market in several industries
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Dating scene is rough
3. The dating scene situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Sunset: Great for families. pretty good vibes, walkable.
- Eastside: 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 Houston, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $80K-$110K here.
**Final verdict:**
Definitely worth checking out.. 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.
9 upvotes
local_jonathan36
Used to live on the Meadowbrook side, now on the Oak Park side. Completely different vibe. it's improved dramatically in recent years.
7 upvotes
Luca Rivera
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem challenging.
I've been here 7 years and I have mixed feelings honestly. The thing nobody mentions is public transit. It's manageable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the nightlife is legit. And if you're into skiing, this place is surprisingly good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Fairview side vs the Eastside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
6 upvotes
Violet Evans
seconding this
3 upvotes
Joshua
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Downtown for 1 years. Moved from San Diego for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is improving. We bought in 2018 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
manufacturing is strong here. government is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are growing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I love the pace of life here. The outdoor scene is tough - we have beaches within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Downtown schools are tough. 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. Property taxes are high. Bugs and humidity in summer. And pet-friendliness can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 7/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
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