I'm originally from Miami and It's a a smaller city city with about 38,661 people. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The weather takes some getting used to. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood.
21 upvotes
26 Replies
Ruby Davis
I'm a physical therapist and I've found there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The community is excellent and there's always something going on.
39 upvotes
Landon Wilson
literally same
38 upvotes
Silas Parker
The food scene here is improving. Tons of great Southern places. it's not perfect but it works for me.
37 upvotes
Ezra James
Moved here from Minneapolis about 10 years ago. it's been a really good experience overall. Still getting used to traffic but Good luck with whatever you decide..
37 upvotes
Lillian Reed
We moved here with our family and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Schools in Eastside area are decent. Kids love it here.
36 upvotes
Reagan Taylor
this is the way
36 upvotes
Maria M.
Weather-wise, the summers are pretty good and winters are manageable. You get used to it after the first year.
35 upvotes
Kayden P.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 2 years ago from Austin and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Lakewood. It's hit or miss for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in hospitality. If you're in government you might struggle.
People: Generally excellent. It took about 17 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: surprisingly good. Tons of options if you like Vietnamese.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
34 upvotes
Ariana Robinson
Weather-wise, the summers are better than expected and winters are manageable. You get used to it after the first year.
34 upvotes
local_theodore86
I've lived in North for about 6 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I'm still on the fence after all this time. When I first moved here from Atlanta, I was surprised by healthcare. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Decent public transit for the size
- Strong job market in several industries
- The school system scene is challenging
The downsides:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Chain restaurants dominate
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for remote workers. No regrets on my end..
32 upvotes
Sadie
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a HR manager who relocated here from Raleigh about 5 years ago. The main reasons were school and retirement.
Pros I've experienced:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Chain restaurants dominate
Financially, we've found it better than expected compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are established, gas is excellent.
Socially, I'm still on the fence after all this time. Definitely worth checking out..
29 upvotes
Cooper Scott
preach
28 upvotes
Dominic Mendoza
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem average.
I've been here 7 years and I have mixed feelings honestly. The thing nobody mentions is food scene. It's competitive and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the outdoor recreation is legit. And if you're into skiing, this place is pretty good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Downtown side vs the Oak Park side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
27 upvotes
miami_olivia
I'm a nurse and I've found I have mixed feelings honestly. The community is hit or miss and there's always something going on.
26 upvotes
Nathan J.
spot on
25 upvotes
Jeremiah Hernandez
noted, appreciate it
22 upvotes
Luca Watson
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value traffic, you'll love it. The traffic is genuinely average and I've found it's exactly what I was looking for. My neighborhood (Old Town) is stable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Tampa, be prepared for the culture shock. outdoor recreation is completely different here. And Property taxes are high.
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.
20 upvotes
Harper Howard
hmm interesting perspective
18 upvotes
Naomi Hernandez
seconding this
18 upvotes
Hazel Allen
I've lived in Midtown for about 11 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I have mixed feelings honestly. When I first moved here from Atlanta, I was surprised by nightlife. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Good healthcare facilities
- The food scene scene is surprisingly good
The downsides:
- Nightlife is limited
- Homeless population growing downtown
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for retirees. Good luck with whatever you decide..
17 upvotes
Matthew P.
facts
14 upvotes
audrey_local
accurate
12 upvotes
alice_heart
it depends on the neighborhood
12 upvotes
Melanie R.
Used to live on the West side, now on the Greenfield side. Completely different vibe. I love the pace of life here.
9 upvotes
nyc_josiah
Weather-wise, the summers are decent and winters are growing. You get used to it after the first year.
6 upvotes
Luna Bennett
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are underrated, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
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