Hey, Rent is about $1,925/month for a decent place. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The suburbs are where most families end up. Anyone in a similar situation? Cheers. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly.
11 upvotes
13 Replies
Eleanor R.
100%
40 upvotes
Julian Smith
interesting, hadn't considered that
40 upvotes
Matthew C.
hard disagree but ok
39 upvotes
Jackson F.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want traffic, then yeah this place is great. But if healthcare matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
33 upvotes
raised_mateo59
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a pharmacist who relocated here from Salt Lake City about 4 years ago. The main reasons were quality of life and family.
Pros I've experienced:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Four distinct seasons
- Good airport with direct flights
Cons that are real:
- Nightlife is limited
- Property taxes are high
Financially, we've found it decent compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are manageable, gas is solid.
Socially, I love the pace of life here. Hope this helps!.
31 upvotes
Brielle Moore
yep
26 upvotes
Terry C.
The food scene here is tough. Tons of great craft beer places. it's been a really good experience overall.
15 upvotes
Jayden Peterson
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a pharmacist, 50, moved here 5 years ago from New York. I've lived in Downtown and Oak Park, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Decent public transit for the size
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Urban sprawl is real
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The dating scene situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Downtown: Great for singles. challenging vibes, walkable.
- Oak Park: 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 New York, everything felt better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $60K-$70K here.
**Final verdict:**
Would recommend to anyone considering it.. 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.
15 upvotes
Hudson N.
Can confirm, been here 14 years.
13 upvotes
Rylee P.
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 3-bedroom. the quality of life is solid. Compared to Dallas it's hit or miss.
11 upvotes
Parker Ruiz
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's not perfect but it works for me. Happy to answer more specific questions..
8 upvotes
Ava Murphy
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I have mixed feelings honestly. Feel free to reach out with questions..
4 upvotes
Anna P.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a project manager, 58, moved here 10 years ago from Baltimore. I've lived in Oak Park and Downtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Active local events and festivals
2. Four distinct seasons
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited high-paying job options
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The healthcare situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Oak Park: Great for remote workers. average vibes, walkable.
- Downtown: 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 Baltimore, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $90K-$140K here.
**Final verdict:**
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. 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.
All Countries
