Longtime lurker here, Just moved here 18 months ago and Household incomes average around $107,313 in Bloomingdale. It's a a small town city with about 23,979 people. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Would love some local perspective. TIA! The weather takes some getting used to. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The weather takes some getting used to. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. The food scene here is surprisingly good. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. I'd say it's better for families than young singles.
1 upvotes
7 Replies
Zoey S.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 7 years ago from Houston and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Greenfield. It's tough for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in education. If you're in manufacturing you might struggle.
People: Generally hit or miss. It took about 15 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: decent. Tons of options if you like seafood.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
27 upvotes
Julian S.
The food scene here is solid. Tons of great Indian places. I'm still on the fence after all this time.
21 upvotes
Theodore J.
100%
15 upvotes
Charles R.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a HR manager, 30, moved here 12 years ago from LA. I've lived in Greenfield and Riverside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good healthcare facilities
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Rising rent and home prices
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The job market situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Greenfield: Great for singles. decent vibes, walkable.
- Riverside: 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 LA, everything felt challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $50K-$70K here.
**Final verdict:**
Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. 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.
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