Hey, I'm a nurse at the local hospital and Homes are going for about $295,500 on average. Household incomes average around $107,552 in Bolingbrook. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Any advice would be great.
15 upvotes
27 Replies
nyc_sebastian
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value weather, you'll love it. The school system is genuinely decent and I've found it exceeded my expectations. My neighborhood (Downtown) is established and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from San Diego, be prepared for the culture shock. job market is completely different here. And Nightlife is limited.
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.
40 upvotes
isaiah_local
same here
40 upvotes
Isabella Parker
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is dating scene. I have mixed feelings honestly. Worth doing your research before committing.
40 upvotes
Zoe James
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are challenging, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
40 upvotes
Willow Adams
Moved here from Pittsburgh about 14 years ago. I genuinely enjoy living here. Still getting used to safety but Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
39 upvotes
Wesley Garcia
I work in legal here and I genuinely enjoy living here. The job market for my field is surprisingly good. Definitely worth checking out..
38 upvotes
Sarah Carter
Bought a house here in 2022 and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
34 upvotes
sf_savannah
following this thread
34 upvotes
Peter R.
The food scene here is better than expected. Tons of great sushi places. it's been a really good experience overall.
30 upvotes
Hailey
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 1 years ago from Pittsburgh 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 South. It's decent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in government. If you're in engineering you might struggle.
People: Generally challenging. It took about 17 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: pretty good. Tons of options if you like BBQ.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
30 upvotes
Kyle M.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Uptown for 13 years. Moved from Nashville for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is solid. We bought in 2016 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
tech is strong here. consulting is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are growing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it exceeded my expectations. The outdoor scene is improving - we have ski resorts 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 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. Chain restaurants dominate. Dating scene is rough. And school system can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 5/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
25 upvotes
mountain_hunter14
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 11 years ago from Salt Lake City and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Highland. It's excellent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in tech. If you're in engineering you might struggle.
People: Generally excellent. It took about 16 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: decent. Tons of options if you like Asian.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
24 upvotes
Adeline Davis
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value outdoor recreation, you'll love it. The public transit is genuinely hit or miss and I've found I'm still on the fence after all this time. My neighborhood (Lakewood) is competitive and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from LA, be prepared for the culture shock. cost of living is completely different here. And Property taxes are high.
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.
22 upvotes
Jacob Torres
thanks for sharing
22 upvotes
Scarlett
as a local I can confirm
20 upvotes
joseph_life
We moved here with our family and it's improved dramatically in recent years. Schools in North area are solid. Kids love it here.
19 upvotes
Kayden Gonzalez
I'm a lawyer and I've found there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The community is excellent and there's always something going on.
16 upvotes
Wyatt
nah I disagree
13 upvotes
Ryan R.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value cultural scene, you'll love it. The job market is genuinely solid and I've found it's not perfect but it works for me. My neighborhood (Maple Ridge) is reasonable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from San Diego, be prepared for the culture shock. public transit is completely different here. And Rising rent and home prices.
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.
13 upvotes
Joseph A.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a marketing manager who relocated here from LA about 11 years ago. The main reasons were school and my partner's job.
Pros I've experienced:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Good internet infrastructure
- Affordable housing options
Cons that are real:
- Property taxes are high
- Dating scene is rough
Financially, we've found it surprisingly good compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are reasonable, gas is improving.
Socially, it was the best decision I ever made. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
13 upvotes
Everly Ramirez
Moved here last year, no regrets.
13 upvotes
Luke Jackson
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Midtown for 12 years. Moved from Minneapolis for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is decent. We bought in 2018 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
real estate is strong here. healthcare is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are affordable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's improved dramatically in recent years. The outdoor scene is decent - 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. Midtown schools are challenging. 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. Nightlife is limited. Homeless population growing downtown. And public transit can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 5/10. Would recommend to anyone considering it.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
12 upvotes
Sebastian
Hot take but it's not perfect but it works for me. I know a lot of people disagree but after 1 years here, that's my honest assessment.
10 upvotes
Madelyn A.
couldn't agree more
7 upvotes
Bradley W.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a lawyer, 50, moved here 4 years ago from Denver. I've lived in Riverside and Eastside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Good schools in most areas
3. Low crime in most neighborhoods
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not a lot of cultural diversity
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The community vibe situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Riverside: Great for couples. hit or miss vibes, walkable.
- Eastside: 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 Denver, everything felt solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $80K-$80K here.
**Final verdict:**
Happy to answer more specific questions.. 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.
5 upvotes
Maverick Morris
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 5 years ago from Seattle and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Maple Ridge. It's decent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in hospitality. If you're in healthcare you might struggle.
People: Generally better than expected. It took about 3 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: underrated. Tons of options if you like seafood.
No regrets on my end..
5 upvotes
tulsa_aubrey
The food scene here is decent. Tons of great Thai places. I genuinely enjoy living here.
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