Random thought, I relocated for work and It's a a mid-size city city with about 114K people. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Would love some local perspective. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look.
14 upvotes
13 Replies
Austin Lee
nah I disagree
39 upvotes
urban_isaiah61
I've been living here for 6 years and I'd say I genuinely enjoy living here. The school system is better than expected compared to other places I've lived. Overall Definitely worth checking out..
37 upvotes
Aaron
accurate
34 upvotes
Thomas Lewis
Public transit is average here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's exactly what I was looking for.
31 upvotes
Rylee Clark
accurate
29 upvotes
Zoey Cooper
Can confirm, been here 3 years.
29 upvotes
Olivia Ross
underrated comment
27 upvotes
loving_joseph90
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a HR manager who relocated here from Denver about 8 years ago. The main reasons were cost of living and a fresh start.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Active local events and festivals
Cons that are real:
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
- Road conditions need improvement
Financially, we've found it better than expected compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are stable, gas is solid.
Socially, it exceeded my expectations. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
25 upvotes
Isabelle Lopez
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in North for 15 years. Moved from Minneapolis for family. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is hit or miss. We bought in 2015 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. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
legal is strong here. manufacturing 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:**
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The outdoor scene is average - 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. North schools are better than expected. 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. Traffic during rush hour is rough. Summers can be brutally hot. And walkability can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 7/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
16 upvotes
Ella Murphy
Hot take but it's exactly what I was looking for. I know a lot of people disagree but after 3 years here, that's my honest assessment.
12 upvotes
Jace Foster
I've been living here for 8 years and I'd say the quality of life is solid. The cultural scene is challenging compared to other places I've lived. Overall Definitely worth checking out..
11 upvotes
Emmett Campbell
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a nurse, 57, moved here 11 years ago from Nashville. I've lived in Oak Park and Highland, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Good airport with direct flights
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Limited high-paying job options
3. The job market situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Oak Park: Great for young professionals. better than expected vibes, walkable.
- Highland: 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 Nashville, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $40K-$90K here.
**Final verdict:**
Good luck with whatever you decide.. 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.
5 upvotes
Sean T.
Bought a house here in 2020 and I'm still on the fence after all this time. Property values have gone about the same since then.
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