Anyone else feel this way? It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Property taxes are high but you get good services.
13 upvotes
25 Replies
Amanda T.
this is the way
40 upvotes
Luke M.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value job market, you'll love it. The safety is genuinely better than expected and I've found it was the best decision I ever made. My neighborhood (Riverside) is manageable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from San Diego, be prepared for the culture shock. pet-friendliness 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.
37 upvotes
Aiden N.
I work in hospitality here and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The job market for my field is challenging. Feel free to reach out with questions..
35 upvotes
Leah Cruz
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value walkability, you'll love it. The housing market is genuinely improving and I've found I'm still on the fence after all this time. My neighborhood (Highland) is established and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from San Francisco, be prepared for the culture shock. walkability is completely different here. And Limited entertainment options.
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.
35 upvotes
Owen G.
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, the quality of life is solid. Happy to answer more specific questions..
32 upvotes
Noah
yeah no that's not right
31 upvotes
Landon Ortiz
Came here for family and stayed because I love the pace of life here. The walkability is honestly improving and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
30 upvotes
Ella King
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem better than expected.
I've been here 5 years and it's exactly what I was looking for. The thing nobody mentions is community vibe. It's stable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the community vibe is legit. And if you're into rock climbing, this place is better than expected.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Midtown side vs the Westside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
No regrets on my end..
29 upvotes
Bennett Martin
noted, appreciate it
27 upvotes
Jack Patel
My experience has been mostly positive. I love the pace of life here. The only thing I'd watch out for is job market. Other than that, Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
24 upvotes
Everett Robinson
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Internet is underrated in most areas.
24 upvotes
Owen Davis
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem challenging.
I've been here 3 years and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The thing nobody mentions is dating scene. It's affordable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cost of living is legit. And if you're into camping, this place is surprisingly good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Oak Park side vs the Springfield side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Hope this helps!.
18 upvotes
Willow
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem better than expected.
I've been here 8 years and it's not perfect but it works for me. The thing nobody mentions is healthcare. It's manageable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the food scene is legit. And if you're into running, this place is underrated.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Pine Hills side vs the Riverside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
16 upvotes
Amelia Patel
This.
14 upvotes
Clara Lewis
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are average, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
14 upvotes
Alexa Peterson
wish I knew this sooner
10 upvotes
Ava Ruiz
bump
9 upvotes
Amanda W.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem excellent.
I've been here 1 years and I genuinely enjoy living here. The thing nobody mentions is pet-friendliness. It's growing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cultural scene is legit. And if you're into skiing, this place is decent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Cedar Grove side vs the North side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
8 upvotes
Hazel F.
I'm a marketing manager and I've found it exceeded my expectations. The community is average and there's always something going on.
8 upvotes
Jacob Baker
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value cost of living, you'll love it. The traffic is genuinely underrated and I've found it's not perfect but it works for me. My neighborhood (Cedar Grove) is developing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Austin, be prepared for the culture shock. nightlife is completely different here. And Summers can be brutally hot.
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
Isabelle Green
Saving this thread
5 upvotes
stlfan2021
underrated comment
4 upvotes
Sarah White
Came here for retirement and stayed because I have mixed feelings honestly. The cost of living is honestly underrated and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
3 upvotes
Ariana Patel
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a writer who relocated here from Denver about 13 years ago. The main reasons were my partner's job and my partner's job.
Pros I've experienced:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Good internet infrastructure
- Affordable housing options
Cons that are real:
- Nightlife is limited
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
Financially, we've found it better than expected compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are stable, gas is improving.
Socially, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Good luck with whatever you decide..
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