Hey, Just moved here 7 months ago and Household incomes average around $76,990 in Bellwood. Poverty rate is 8.2%, which is pretty low. With a population of 18,373, Bellwood is a small town. It's a a small town city with about 18,373 people. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Am I wrong here? Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The city has invested a lot in new development. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The weather takes some getting used to. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable.
9 upvotes
15 Replies
native_adeline64
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I have mixed feelings honestly. Definitely worth checking out..
39 upvotes
Serenity Nguyen
Moved here from Miami about 1 years ago. it was the best decision I ever made. Still getting used to cultural scene but Feel free to reach out with questions..
38 upvotes
Xavier Nguyen
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 10 years ago from Portland and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Sunset. It's underrated for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in construction. If you're in hospitality you might struggle.
People: Generally average. It took about 16 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like craft beer.
No regrets on my end..
37 upvotes
Ashley R.
I work in retail here and it was the best decision I ever made. The job market for my field is surprisingly good. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
35 upvotes
Parker K.
Bought a house here in 2016 and it exceeded my expectations. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
33 upvotes
Benjamin Reed
yeah no that's not right
31 upvotes
Eli D.
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 3-bedroom. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Compared to Minneapolis it's pretty good.
27 upvotes
Liam Thomas
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's exactly what I was looking for. Internet is decent in most areas.
27 upvotes
Madison J.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a contractor who relocated here from Nashville about 11 years ago. The main reasons were retirement and a job opportunity.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good schools in most areas
- Decent public transit for the size
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Property taxes are high
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
Financially, we've found it excellent compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are stable, gas is pretty good.
Socially, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Good luck with whatever you decide..
19 upvotes
Isla Cruz
We moved here with our family and I genuinely enjoy living here. Schools in Springfield area are challenging. Kids love it here.
11 upvotes
Evan Baker
facts
9 upvotes
eva_life
great question, following
5 upvotes
Austin Alvarez
I'm a contractor and I've found I love the pace of life here. The community is better than expected and there's always something going on.
4 upvotes
Landon L.
not my experience at all
4 upvotes
Santiago Y.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value safety, you'll love it. The nightlife is genuinely pretty good and I've found it's been a really good experience overall. My neighborhood (East) is stable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Chicago, be prepared for the culture shock. outdoor recreation 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.
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