Curious what people think. I've been here for 7 years and You can expect to pay around $806 for rent here. Homes are going for about $178,000 on average. The median home value here is around $178,000, which is actually reasonable. Household incomes average around $56,484 in Berea. The unemployment rate is 2.1%, which is pretty low. The weather takes some getting used to. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Does this match your experience? The city has invested a lot in new development. The weather takes some getting used to. The weather takes some getting used to. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The weather takes some getting used to. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The food scene here is surprisingly good. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The food scene here is surprisingly good. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The food scene here is surprisingly good. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. The food scene here is surprisingly good. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting.
0 upvotes
11 Replies
Adam Jones
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in North for 4 years. Moved from Phoenix for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is solid. We bought in 2016 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
hospitality is strong here. tech is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are developing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I have mixed feelings honestly. The outdoor scene is improving - we have mountains 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 average. 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. Limited public transit options. And job market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 5/10. It's not for everyone but it works for us.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
38 upvotes
Bella Scott
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Old Town for 5 years. Moved from New York for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is underrated. We bought in 2024 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
consulting is strong here. consulting is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are developing 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. Old Town schools are hit or miss. 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. Limited high-paying job options. Property taxes are high. And cultural scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 9/10. Hope this helps!. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
38 upvotes
Frances H.
I've been living here for 5 years and I'd say I have mixed feelings honestly. The dating scene is better than expected compared to other places I've lived. Overall Happy to answer more specific questions..
34 upvotes
Everett White
Hot take but it's exactly what I was looking for. I know a lot of people disagree but after 11 years here, that's my honest assessment.
29 upvotes
Pamela H.
We moved here with our family and it was the best decision I ever made. Schools in Springfield area are underrated. Kids love it here.
29 upvotes
Stella Anderson
I've been living here for 7 years and I'd say I have mixed feelings honestly. The housing market is improving compared to other places I've lived. Overall Hope this helps!.
27 upvotes
Valentina King
nah I disagree
20 upvotes
Isabella Murphy
not my experience at all
19 upvotes
houstonlocal2020
spot on
11 upvotes
Clara Phillips
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem surprisingly good.
I've been here 12 years and it's exactly what I was looking for. The thing nobody mentions is walkability. It's developing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the nightlife is legit. And if you're into golfing, this place is underrated.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Oak Park side vs the Midtown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
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