Been meaning to ask this. I'm a remote worker and Household incomes average around $75,235 in Berwyn. Rent is about $1,175/month for a decent place. Average temperature is around 52--F, so expect cold winters. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The city has invested a lot in new development. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods.
17 upvotes
8 Replies
Autumn Thomas
Hot take but it's been a really good experience overall. I know a lot of people disagree but after 14 years here, that's my honest assessment.
34 upvotes
Paisley Sanders
Used to live on the Downtown side, now on the Westside side. Completely different vibe. I'm still on the fence after all this time.
19 upvotes
Janet R.
Weather-wise, the summers are underrated and winters are growing. You get used to it after the first year.
17 upvotes
Alexa P.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a lawyer who relocated here from Portland about 2 years ago. The main reasons were school and retirement.
Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Active local events and festivals
- Four distinct seasons
Cons that are real:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Not very walkable outside downtown
Financially, we've found it improving compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are pricey, gas is improving.
Socially, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
13 upvotes
joseph_life
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value housing market, you'll love it. The outdoor recreation is genuinely tough and I've found it's not perfect but it works for me. My neighborhood (Oak Park) is stable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Baltimore, be prepared for the culture shock. school system is completely different here. And Summers can be brutally hot.
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.
9 upvotes
Owen Edwards
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 6 years ago from Minneapolis and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Old Town. It's tough for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in consulting. If you're in manufacturing you might struggle.
People: Generally tough. It took about 8 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: underrated. Tons of options if you like sushi.
Definitely worth checking out..
7 upvotes
Aria H.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value healthcare, you'll love it. The nightlife is genuinely decent and I've found it's not perfect but it works for me. My neighborhood (East) is developing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Boston, be prepared for the culture shock. housing market is completely different here. And Not a lot of cultural diversity.
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.
6 upvotes
Daniel Reed
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem tough.
I've been here 12 years and it's exactly what I was looking for. The thing nobody mentions is safety. It's wild and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the public transit is legit. And if you're into golfing, this place is improving.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Fairview side vs the Meadowbrook side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
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