Hey everyone, Homes are going for about $310,300 on average. Household incomes average around $90,972 in Briar. Crime rate is something to consider -Briar sits at 708.1 per 100K. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Does this match your experience? Appreciate any input. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. The weather takes some getting used to. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Property taxes are high but you get good services. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. The weather takes some getting used to. The weather takes some getting used to. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. The weather takes some getting used to. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus.
4 upvotes
14 Replies
Madeline Walker
seconding this
38 upvotes
Matthew
not my experience at all
37 upvotes
Xavier Wood
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem better than expected.
I've been here 10 years and it's improved dramatically in recent years. The thing nobody mentions is healthcare. It's established and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cost of living is legit. And if you're into hiking, this place is pretty good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Springfield side vs the The Heights side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
No regrets on my end..
36 upvotes
Ralph C.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem tough.
I've been here 7 years and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The thing nobody mentions is public transit. It's growing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cost of living is legit. And if you're into fishing, this place is tough.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Uptown side vs the Oak Park side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
35 upvotes
Kai Ramos
Saving this thread
34 upvotes
Clara Ward
it depends on the neighborhood
30 upvotes
Ian H.
interesting, hadn't considered that
29 upvotes
Sofia Watson
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 2 years ago from Seattle and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Cedar Grove. It's surprisingly good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is manageable right now, especially in engineering. If you're in tech you might struggle.
People: Generally underrated. It took about 12 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: challenging. Tons of options if you like Italian.
Hope this helps!.
24 upvotes
Kyle M.
preach
19 upvotes
Landon T.
good to know, thanks
17 upvotes
Mateo White
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a accountant, 47, moved here 4 years ago from Tampa. I've lived in South and Oak Park, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Four distinct seasons
2. Strong sense of community
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally hit or miss - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not a lot of cultural diversity
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The walkability situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- South: Great for young professionals. decent 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 Tampa, everything felt challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $100K-$70K here.
**Final verdict:**
Definitely worth checking out.. 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.
13 upvotes
Roman Carter
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a electrician who relocated here from New York about 14 years ago. The main reasons were weather and a job opportunity.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good healthcare facilities
- Diverse dining options
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Can feel isolated
- Limited shopping options
Financially, we've found it improving compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are stable, gas is better than expected.
Socially, the quality of life is solid. No regrets on my end..
12 upvotes
Emily Gutierrez
I've been living here for 11 years and I'd say I'm still on the fence after all this time. The public transit is surprisingly good compared to other places I've lived. Overall Feel free to reach out with questions..
1 upvotes
olivia_papa
Used to live on the Fairview side, now on the Riverside side. Completely different vibe. it's exactly what I was looking for.
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