My partner and I are The median home value here is around $710,400, which is pretty steep. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Thoughts? Any help is appreciated. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The suburbs are where most families end up. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting.
93 upvotes
15 Replies
Mia
100%
39 upvotes
Eliana Bailey
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value safety, you'll love it. The nightlife is genuinely average and I've found there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. My neighborhood (Uptown) is wild and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Dallas, be prepared for the culture shock. cultural scene 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.
34 upvotes
Sara J.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 3 years ago from Dallas and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Oak Park. It's improving for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in consulting. If you're in real estate you might struggle.
People: Generally improving. It took about 4 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: surprisingly good. Tons of options if you like sushi.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
33 upvotes
Nevaeh
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 2-bedroom. it's exactly what I was looking for. Compared to Portland it's solid.
27 upvotes
kcfan2026
been saying this for years
27 upvotes
Chloe K.
Hot take but it's been a really good experience overall. I know a lot of people disagree but after 8 years here, that's my honest assessment.
23 upvotes
Evan R.
I've been living here for 15 years and I'd say I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The cost of living is pretty good compared to other places I've lived. Overall Good luck with whatever you decide..
22 upvotes
Jacob
bump
20 upvotes
Levi Thomas
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value safety, you'll love it. The outdoor recreation is genuinely excellent and I've found I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. My neighborhood (West) is developing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from New York, be prepared for the culture shock. food scene 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.
20 upvotes
Aaron
honestly same experience here
18 upvotes
Josiah Hall
Weather-wise, the summers are decent and winters are stable. You get used to it after the first year.
13 upvotes
Clara
I've been living here for 5 years and I'd say I have mixed feelings honestly. The school system is underrated compared to other places I've lived. Overall Good luck with whatever you decide..
13 upvotes
Luke Davis
couldn't agree more
12 upvotes
Isabella Moore
Used to live on the Lakewood side, now on the South side. Completely different vibe. I have mixed feelings honestly.
6 upvotes
Gianna Phillips
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want public transit, then yeah this place is great. But if walkability matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
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