Military spouse here. The median home value here is around $140,400, which is actually reasonable. Homes are going for about $140,400 on average. The weather takes some getting used to. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. What neighborhoods would you suggest? Looking forward to hearing from you all. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look.
13 upvotes
15 Replies
Victoria R.
I work in healthcare here and it was the best decision I ever made. The job market for my field is decent. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
38 upvotes
Everly
Hot take but it was the best decision I ever made. I know a lot of people disagree but after 6 years here, that's my honest assessment.
35 upvotes
William M.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 3 years ago from Miami and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Downtown. It's underrated for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in real estate. If you're in construction you might struggle.
People: Generally excellent. It took about 13 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: surprisingly good. Tons of options if you like Korean.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
35 upvotes
Ellie Harris
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value community vibe, you'll love it. The traffic is genuinely improving and I've found I love the pace of life here. My neighborhood (Springfield) is stable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Salt Lake City, be prepared for the culture shock. food scene is completely different here. And Limited public transit options.
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.
32 upvotes
Maya Cook
big facts right here
30 upvotes
bostonnative2025
lol so true
27 upvotes
Grayson
My experience has been mostly positive. it was the best decision I ever made. The only thing I'd watch out for is healthcare. Other than that, It's not for everyone but it works for us..
26 upvotes
Jacob Rivera
This.
25 upvotes
Nicholas M.
Used to live on the East side, now on the Oak Park side. Completely different vibe. I love the pace of life here.
22 upvotes
Aaliyah
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem hit or miss.
I've been here 11 years and it's been a really good experience overall. The thing nobody mentions is traffic. It's growing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the school system is legit. And if you're into camping, this place is excellent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The West side vs the Highland side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
21 upvotes
Cooper Bennett
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, the quality of life is solid. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
21 upvotes
nycmama2024
not my experience at all
11 upvotes
Declan Jimenez
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want pet-friendliness, then yeah this place is great. But if traffic matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
9 upvotes
Natalie M.
100%
0 upvotes
Hannah Y.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 9 years ago from Nashville and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Fairview. It's better than expected for what you get.
Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in consulting. If you're in government you might struggle.
People: Generally better than expected. It took about 12 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: excellent. Tons of options if you like Southern.
All Countries
