Hello, With a population of 6,175, Braidwood is a small town. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Has anyone dealt with this?
12 upvotes
7 Replies
Mason
following this thread
36 upvotes
detroitvibes2023
Moved here from Portland about 15 years ago. it's been a really good experience overall. Still getting used to housing market but Feel free to reach out with questions..
25 upvotes
Henry
haha yep pretty much
24 upvotes
Julia Ramirez
Bought a house here in 2017 and it's improved dramatically in recent years. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
20 upvotes
Mackenzie Campbell
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it exceeded my expectations. Internet is pretty good in most areas.
18 upvotes
Sophie
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem excellent.
I've been here 4 years and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The thing nobody mentions is school system. It's growing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cultural scene is legit. And if you're into camping, this place is challenging.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Highland side vs the Lakewood side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
16 upvotes
Jose L.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a data analyst, 58, moved here 4 years ago from Houston. I've lived in West and Old Town, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Good healthcare facilities
3. Four distinct seasons
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Rising rent and home prices
2. Not a lot of cultural diversity
3. The housing market situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- West: Great for remote workers. excellent vibes, walkable.
- Old Town: 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 Houston, everything felt decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $90K-$70K here.
**Final verdict:**
Good luck with whatever you decide.. 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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