So, I'm a remote worker and Homes are going for about $122,400 on average. The suburbs are where most families end up. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Am I overthinking this?
57 upvotes
10 Replies
jaxlife2026
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 3 years ago from Chicago and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Oak Park. It's solid for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in healthcare. If you're in healthcare you might struggle.
People: Generally surprisingly good. It took about 14 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: decent. Tons of options if you like Indian.
Definitely worth checking out..
38 upvotes
Ariana Morales
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a sales manager who relocated here from Raleigh about 14 years ago. The main reasons were school and work.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Lots of new development happening
Cons that are real:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Chain restaurants dominate
Financially, we've found it improving compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are affordable, gas is excellent.
Socially, it's improved dramatically in recent years. Happy to answer more specific questions..
27 upvotes
Avery Adams
haha yep pretty much
27 upvotes
Jordan Young
Bought a house here in 2017 and it's been a really good experience overall. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
23 upvotes
Avery Smith
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are challenging, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
20 upvotes
Gianna Cox
I've lived in East for about 5 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's exactly what I was looking for. When I first moved here from Houston, I was surprised by school system. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Close to major attractions
- Good airport with direct flights
- The weather scene is improving
The downsides:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for families. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
13 upvotes
Parker Lewis
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 1-bedroom. the quality of life is solid. Compared to Portland it's pretty good.
11 upvotes
Harper Williams
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is dating scene. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Worth doing your research before committing.
11 upvotes
Scarlett T.
literally same
7 upvotes
Alexa Baker
Hot take but I love the pace of life here. I know a lot of people disagree but after 10 years here, that's my honest assessment.
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