It's a a smaller city city with about 49,232 people. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Thoughts?
9 upvotes
15 Replies
Philip M.
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are underrated, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
35 upvotes
Ella Moore
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Internet is better than expected in most areas.
34 upvotes
Alice Richardson
The food scene here is tough. Tons of great seafood places. it exceeded my expectations.
33 upvotes
wild_melanie97
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 5 years ago from Portland and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Cedar Grove. It's solid for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in consulting. If you're in legal you might struggle.
People: Generally surprisingly good. It took about 13 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: better than expected. Tons of options if you like farm-to-table.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
31 upvotes
raised_james26
As someone who grew up here, I'm still on the fence after all this time. A lot has changed in the past few years though. pet-friendliness used to be much competitive but now it's pretty good.
29 upvotes
Valentina Reed
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 5 years ago from New York and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Old Town. It's surprisingly good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in construction. If you're in government you might struggle.
People: Generally underrated. It took about 9 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: solid. Tons of options if you like seafood.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
25 upvotes
Zoey Sanders
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a software engineer who relocated here from LA about 6 years ago. The main reasons were school and my partner's job.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good schools in most areas
- Good airport with direct flights
- Diverse dining options
Cons that are real:
- Limited public transit options
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Financially, we've found it hit or miss compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are stable, gas is better than expected.
Socially, I have mixed feelings honestly. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
25 upvotes
Caleb Sanders
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a software engineer, 56, moved here 6 years ago from Austin. I've lived in Oak Park and Midtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Low crime in most neighborhoods
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Property taxes are high
2. Can feel isolated
3. The walkability situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Oak Park: Great for young professionals. hit or miss vibes, walkable.
- Midtown: 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 Austin, everything felt average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $50K-$70K 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.
22 upvotes
Isaiah Myers
bump
19 upvotes
Kennedy Taylor
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 14 years ago from Houston and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Downtown. It's solid for what you get.
Jobs: The market is manageable right now, especially in consulting. If you're in engineering you might struggle.
People: Generally improving. It took about 3 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: underrated. Tons of options if you like Southern.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
19 upvotes
Luke Jackson
Hot take but I'm still on the fence after all this time. I know a lot of people disagree but after 9 years here, that's my honest assessment.
19 upvotes
Leo Harris
accurate
15 upvotes
Abigail Wilson
Public transit is pretty good here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I'm still on the fence after all this time.
14 upvotes
Jordan Adams
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 7 years ago from Charlotte and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Midtown. It's pretty good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in healthcare. If you're in retail you might struggle.
People: Generally hit or miss. It took about 16 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: underrated. Tons of options if you like sushi.
No regrets on my end..
5 upvotes
Willow Hill
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 6 years ago from Phoenix and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in East. It's pretty good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in construction. If you're in construction you might struggle.
People: Generally surprisingly good. It took about 12 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: surprisingly good. Tons of options if you like craft beer.
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