Anyone else feel this way? Military spouse here. It's a a smaller city city with about 98,833 people. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Thanks!
16 upvotes
10 Replies
Weston Howard
big facts right here
38 upvotes
Caleb Lopez
noted, appreciate it
38 upvotes
Willow Young
I work in legal here and it's been a really good experience overall. The job market for my field is pretty good. Feel free to reach out with questions..
32 upvotes
Logan C.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem excellent.
I've been here 13 years and it's been a really good experience overall. The thing nobody mentions is outdoor recreation. It's competitive and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the food scene is legit. And if you're into golfing, this place is solid.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Highland side vs the Midtown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
28 upvotes
Lucy Wright
We moved here with our family and I'm still on the fence after all this time. Schools in Oak Park area are improving. Kids love it here.
21 upvotes
Nancy K.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value public transit, you'll love it. The walkability is genuinely pretty good and I've found it's improved dramatically in recent years. My neighborhood (Highland) is growing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from New York, be prepared for the culture shock. community vibe is completely different here. And Limited high-paying job 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.
11 upvotes
Grayson Baker
underrated comment
9 upvotes
Everett Morris
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Uptown for 5 years. Moved from LA for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is solid. We bought in 2022 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
real estate is strong here. construction is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are pricey for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I have mixed feelings honestly. The outdoor scene is better than expected - we have desert landscapes within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Uptown 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. Limited high-paying job options. Homeless population growing downtown. And job market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 5/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
8 upvotes
Victoria Howard
Came here for cost of living and stayed because I'm still on the fence after all this time. The food scene is honestly solid and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
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