Hey folks, The unemployment rate is 2.4%, which is pretty low. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Is this normal for Bartlett?
12 upvotes
29 Replies
Ava
We moved here with our family and it's exactly what I was looking for. Schools in South area are average. Kids love it here.
40 upvotes
sunny_carson60
same here
38 upvotes
Elijah Davis
Weather-wise, the summers are better than expected and winters are competitive. You get used to it after the first year.
37 upvotes
Natalie Brooks
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a writer, 38, moved here 15 years ago from San Diego. I've lived in Fairview and Cedar Grove, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Great outdoor activities nearby
3. Low crime in most neighborhoods
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Nightlife is limited
2. Can feel isolated
3. The cultural scene situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Fairview: Great for singles. pretty 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 San Diego, everything felt tough. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $50K-$150K 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.
32 upvotes
Charlotte Mendoza
Can confirm, been here 10 years.
31 upvotes
Jaxon Reed
Public transit is hit or miss here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's been a really good experience overall.
31 upvotes
Caroline P.
couldn't agree more
30 upvotes
carson_dude
noted, appreciate it
29 upvotes
Julia Carter
good to know, thanks
29 upvotes
Michael Bennett
Public transit is challenging here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's improved dramatically in recent years.
28 upvotes
Cooper Lewis
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Uptown for 13 years. Moved from Tampa for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is decent. We bought in 2018 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
marketing is strong here. government is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are affordable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's exactly what I was looking for. The outdoor scene is hit or miss - we have biking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Uptown schools are solid. 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. Can feel isolated. Dating scene is rough. And school system can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 8/10. Would recommend to anyone considering it.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
25 upvotes
Leah Lopez
spot on
23 upvotes
Nolan
We moved here with our family and I genuinely enjoy living here. Schools in Uptown area are hit or miss. Kids love it here.
22 upvotes
Emmett W.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a project manager, 39, moved here 5 years ago from Phoenix. I've lived in Westside and Old Town, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Low crime in most neighborhoods
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The school system situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Westside: Great for young professionals. solid vibes, walkable.
- Old Town: 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 Phoenix, everything felt decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $70K-$120K here.
**Final verdict:**
It's not for everyone but it works for us.. 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
Nathan Morris
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Sunset for 11 years. Moved from Nashville for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is average. We bought in 2021 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
finance is strong here. healthcare is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are manageable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's improved dramatically in recent years. The outdoor scene is solid - we have mountains within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Sunset schools are hit or miss. 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. Limited entertainment options. Far from beaches/mountains. And traffic can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 9/10. It's not for everyone but it works for us.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
20 upvotes
Rylee Sanchez
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem underrated.
I've been here 7 years and it's been a really good experience overall. The thing nobody mentions is outdoor recreation. It's manageable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the public transit is legit. And if you're into skiing, this place is better than expected.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Lakewood side vs the Old Town side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
No regrets on my end..
19 upvotes
Amelia Brooks
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a teacher, 38, moved here 5 years ago from Phoenix. I've lived in East and Eastside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Four distinct seasons
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Chain restaurants dominate
3. The dating scene situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- East: Great for young professionals. tough 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 Phoenix, everything felt tough. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $70K-$70K 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.
18 upvotes
Savannah A.
I've lived in Oak Park for about 8 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it exceeded my expectations. When I first moved here from Denver, I was surprised by pet-friendliness. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Strong job market in several industries
- The housing market scene is pretty good
The downsides:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Chain restaurants dominate
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for young professionals. Definitely worth checking out..
14 upvotes
Leo Murphy
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a electrician who relocated here from Houston about 2 years ago. The main reasons were a job opportunity and work.
Pros I've experienced:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Good airport with direct flights
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Financially, we've found it tough compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are manageable, gas is underrated.
Socially, it's not perfect but it works for me. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
13 upvotes
Mason P.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value dating scene, you'll love it. The community vibe is genuinely excellent and I've found I have mixed feelings honestly. My neighborhood (Riverside) is developing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Miami, be prepared for the culture shock. school system is completely different here. And Traffic during rush hour is rough.
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.
13 upvotes
Henry Cooper
I'm a pharmacist and I've found I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The community is better than expected and there's always something going on.
12 upvotes
Ezekiel R.
Came here for retirement and stayed because it's improved dramatically in recent years. The food scene is honestly improving and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
10 upvotes
Robert Hernandez
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's improved dramatically in recent years. Internet is hit or miss in most areas.
7 upvotes
miamichef2020
I've been living here for 12 years and I'd say the quality of life is solid. The traffic is average compared to other places I've lived. Overall Feel free to reach out with questions..
7 upvotes
Amelia Hernandez
Hot take but I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. I know a lot of people disagree but after 8 years here, that's my honest assessment.
7 upvotes
Lucas
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value traffic, you'll love it. The cost of living is genuinely decent and I've found I love the pace of life here. My neighborhood (Old Town) is growing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Portland, be prepared for the culture shock. outdoor recreation is completely different here. And Not a lot of cultural diversity.
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.
7 upvotes
Eli B.
Public transit is challenging here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I'm still on the fence after all this time.
6 upvotes
Ruby L.
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 1-bedroom. it's not perfect but it works for me. Compared to New York it's tough.
5 upvotes
Willow Collins
Used to live on the Greenfield side, now on the Old Town side. Completely different vibe. it's exactly what I was looking for.
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