Hey everyone, I've been here for 17 years and Poverty rate is 1.4%, which is pretty low. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Has anyone dealt with this?
4 upvotes
11 Replies
Bennett Lopez
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a chef, 55, moved here 14 years ago from San Francisco. I've lived in West and Springfield, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Good schools in most areas
3. Decent public transit for the size
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Limited high-paying job options
3. The walkability situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- West: Great for remote workers. challenging vibes, walkable.
- Springfield: 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 San Francisco, everything felt tough. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $60K-$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.
37 upvotes
aiden_guy
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I love the pace of life here. Happy to answer more specific questions..
31 upvotes
john_heart
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's not perfect but it works for me. Internet is improving in most areas.
25 upvotes
Benjamin B.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in West for 7 years. Moved from Miami for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is hit or miss. We bought in 2017 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
legal is strong here. government is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are manageable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's not perfect but it works for me. The outdoor scene is improving - we have mountains within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. West schools are excellent. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.
**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Urban sprawl is real. Chain restaurants dominate. And public transit can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 9/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
21 upvotes
Easton M.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value food scene, you'll love it. The community vibe is genuinely hit or miss and I've found it's improved dramatically in recent years. My neighborhood (Westside) is established and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Seattle, be prepared for the culture shock. cost of living is completely different here. And Traffic during rush hour is rough.
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.
21 upvotes
Asher Diaz
As someone who grew up here, it's not perfect but it works for me. A lot has changed in the past few years though. traffic used to be much affordable but now it's excellent.
20 upvotes
sd_carson
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem average.
I've been here 14 years and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The thing nobody mentions is cost of living. It's affordable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the outdoor recreation is legit. And if you're into camping, this place is solid.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Oak Park side vs the Old Town side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
No regrets on my end..
17 upvotes
John Chavez
+1
14 upvotes
Benjamin Cook
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 11 years ago from Raleigh and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Greenfield. It's pretty good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in consulting. If you're in legal you might struggle.
People: Generally pretty good. It took about 15 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: better than expected. Tons of options if you like Asian.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
11 upvotes
Cora Rodriguez
yeah no that's not right
8 upvotes
Adeline
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a marketing manager, 49, moved here 9 years ago from Salt Lake City. I've lived in Westside and Highland, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Growing food and restaurant scene
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally average - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Can feel isolated
3. The public transit situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Westside: Great for retirees. solid vibes, walkable.
- Highland: 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 Salt Lake City, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $60K-$150K here.
**Final verdict:**
Hope this helps!. 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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