Hey folks, Born and raised here. You can expect to pay around $828 for rent here. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. The suburbs are where most families end up.
3 upvotes
13 Replies
Lucas Thomas
As someone who grew up here, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. A lot has changed in the past few years though. outdoor recreation used to be much stable but now it's surprisingly good.
37 upvotes
Joshua Long
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 4-bedroom. it's been a really good experience overall. Compared to LA it's pretty good.
36 upvotes
Jackson Howard
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a marketing manager, 39, moved here 2 years ago from Boston. I've lived in Meadowbrook and Midtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Strong job market in several industries
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Urban sprawl is real
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The outdoor recreation situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Meadowbrook: Great for families. underrated 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 Boston, everything felt underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $100K-$120K 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.
34 upvotes
Ezra Price
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Feel free to reach out with questions..
33 upvotes
Sarah C.
exactly what I was thinking
31 upvotes
Paisley Carter
We moved here with our family and the quality of life is solid. Schools in The Heights area are excellent. Kids love it here.
20 upvotes
Caleb Turner
I've been living here for 14 years and I'd say I'm still on the fence after all this time. The outdoor recreation is surprisingly good compared to other places I've lived. Overall Feel free to reach out with questions..
19 upvotes
John Castillo
wish I knew this sooner
11 upvotes
Madison P.
Hot take but it's improved dramatically in recent years. I know a lot of people disagree but after 15 years here, that's my honest assessment.
11 upvotes
mason_guy
I work in tech here and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The job market for my field is pretty good. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
6 upvotes
Dominic Clark
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem better than expected.
I've been here 3 years and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The thing nobody mentions is food scene. It's pricey and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the dating scene is legit. And if you're into skiing, this place is tough.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Old Town side vs the Oak Park side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
5 upvotes
Zoey
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value safety, you'll love it. The public transit is genuinely solid and I've found the quality of life is solid. My neighborhood (Oak Park) is wild and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Houston, be prepared for the culture shock. safety is completely different here. And Rising rent and home prices.
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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