Curious what people think. Household incomes average around $129,820 in Buffalo Grove. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. The suburbs are where most families end up. Worth the trade-offs?
13 upvotes
16 Replies
Lori J.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value weather, you'll love it. The food scene is genuinely excellent and I've found I genuinely enjoy living here. My neighborhood (South) is pricey and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Salt Lake City, be prepared for the culture shock. public transit is completely different here. And Homeless population growing downtown.
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.
36 upvotes
Lucy Harris
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want community vibe, then yeah this place is great. But if safety matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
32 upvotes
Eva Thomas
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is cost of living. the quality of life is solid. Worth doing your research before committing.
32 upvotes
tampa_audrey
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 12 years ago from Austin and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Uptown. It's decent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in education. If you're in healthcare you might struggle.
People: Generally solid. It took about 18 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: better than expected. Tons of options if you like craft beer.
Hope this helps!.
20 upvotes
Isabella James
I've lived in Pine Hills for about 11 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 Salt Lake City, I was surprised by community vibe. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- The job market scene is underrated
The downsides:
- Nightlife is limited
- Homeless population growing downtown
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for young professionals. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
20 upvotes
Rylee Watson
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Downtown for 7 years. Moved from Atlanta for family. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is challenging. We bought in 2019 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
manufacturing is strong here. marketing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are developing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it was the best decision I ever made. The outdoor scene is tough - we have desert landscapes within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Downtown schools are pretty good. 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. Limited public transit options. Far from beaches/mountains. And cost of living can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 6/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
18 upvotes
Stella Ortiz
same here
18 upvotes
Diane T.
This.
16 upvotes
chicagorunner2024
100%
14 upvotes
Liam
I've lived in Highland for about 8 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I genuinely enjoy living here. When I first moved here from Pittsburgh, I was surprised by cost of living. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Lots of new development happening
- Good internet infrastructure
- The dating scene scene is solid
The downsides:
- Winters are long and cold
- Limited high-paying job options
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for remote workers. Feel free to reach out with questions..
8 upvotes
Sophie
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 7 years ago from Miami and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in North. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in government. If you're in retail you might struggle.
People: Generally improving. It took about 13 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: pretty good. Tons of options if you like farm-to-table.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
7 upvotes
Anna Perez
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 11 years ago from Miami and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Pine Hills. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is manageable right now, especially in engineering. If you're in real estate you might struggle.
People: Generally excellent. It took about 17 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: surprisingly good. Tons of options if you like Thai.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
6 upvotes
Julia C.
exactly what I was thinking
3 upvotes
Silas Murphy
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Oak Park for 13 years. Moved from Pittsburgh for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is surprisingly good. We bought in 2018 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
tech is strong here. marketing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are competitive for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's been a really good experience overall. The outdoor scene is pretty good - we have lakes within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Oak Park schools are tough. 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. Limited high-paying job options. And food scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 7/10. Hope this helps!. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
3 upvotes
Evan Flores
I've lived in North for about 11 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's not perfect but it works for me. When I first moved here from Salt Lake City, I was surprised by outdoor recreation. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Lots of new development happening
- Close to major attractions
- The school system scene is pretty good
The downsides:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Limited shopping options
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for couples. Happy to answer more specific questions..
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