First post here. We're a young couple and Rent is about $1,374/month for a decent place. Crime rate is something to consider -Bensenville sits at 93.4 per 100K. You can expect to pay around $1,374 for rent here. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Worth the trade-offs? Thanks in advance! The food scene here is surprisingly good. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The suburbs are where most families end up. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The weather takes some getting used to. The weather takes some getting used to. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look.
14 upvotes
6 Replies
Jace Rodriguez
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a electrician, 54, moved here 6 years ago from New York. I've lived in Uptown and Fairview, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not very walkable outside downtown
2. Property taxes are high
3. The school system situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Uptown: Great for families. improving vibes, walkable.
- Fairview: 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 New York, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $70K-$110K here.
**Final verdict:**
No regrets on my end.. 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.
40 upvotes
Emma Ramirez
I've lived in Downtown for about 8 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 Portland, I was surprised by food scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Nice parks and green spaces
- The job market scene is tough
The downsides:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Property taxes are high
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for young professionals. Definitely worth checking out..
23 upvotes
Nora S.
honestly same experience here
21 upvotes
Charlotte C.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a physical therapist, 41, moved here 8 years ago from Dallas. I've lived in Eastside and Fairview, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Summers can be brutally hot
3. The outdoor recreation situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Eastside: Great for singles. better than expected vibes, walkable.
- Fairview: 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 Dallas, everything felt decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $40K-$130K here.
**Final verdict:**
Happy to answer more specific questions.. 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.
8 upvotes
Allison Clark
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 1 years ago from New York and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in East. It's better than expected for what you get.
Jobs: The market is manageable right now, especially in government. If you're in engineering you might struggle.
People: Generally challenging. It took about 14 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like Mediterranean.
Definitely worth checking out..
7 upvotes
Allison A.
Hot take but there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. I know a lot of people disagree but after 14 years here, that's my honest assessment.
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