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Kinsley James best-worst

What surprised you most about Buffalo Grove?

Alright, Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting.
24 upvotes

23 Replies

Xavier Gomez
haha yep pretty much
39 upvotes
Serenity Brown
same here
37 upvotes
Evelyn M.
glad someone said it
36 upvotes
Madison W.
I've been living here for 7 years and I'd say I love the pace of life here. The pet-friendliness is pretty good compared to other places I've lived. Overall Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
36 upvotes
Joseph Hall
As someone who grew up here, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. A lot has changed in the past few years though. pet-friendliness used to be much affordable but now it's hit or miss.
35 upvotes
Emily Gray
seconding this
33 upvotes
Dylan Gutierrez
facts
29 upvotes
Cameron Ramirez
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are tough, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
29 upvotes
Brooks Torres
it depends on the neighborhood
29 upvotes
Alexander Myers
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem underrated.

I've been here 10 years and I genuinely enjoy living here. The thing nobody mentions is safety. It's growing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.

That said, the dating scene is legit. And if you're into photography, this place is pretty good.

Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Uptown side vs the South side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.

Hope this helps!.
28 upvotes
Nicholas Parker
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.

I'm a contractor who relocated here from Salt Lake City about 14 years ago. The main reasons were a job opportunity and cost of living.

Pros I've experienced:
- Four distinct seasons
- Close to major attractions
- Affordable housing options

Cons that are real:
- Winters are long and cold
- Rising rent and home prices

Financially, we've found it pretty good compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are reasonable, gas is tough.

Socially, I'm still on the fence after all this time. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
27 upvotes
Zoe Ruiz
I've lived in Lakewood for about 10 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 Boston, I was surprised by housing market. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.

A few things worth knowing:
- Good healthcare facilities
- Lots of new development happening
- The healthcare scene is decent

The downsides:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Limited shopping options

Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for couples. Feel free to reach out with questions..
25 upvotes
Kai Clark
exactly what I was thinking
24 upvotes
Austin C.
I've lived in Eastside for about 4 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.

I'm still on the fence after all this time. When I first moved here from Minneapolis, I was surprised by outdoor recreation. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.

A few things worth knowing:
- Good schools in most areas
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- The dating scene scene is underrated

The downsides:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Chain restaurants dominate

Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for couples. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
20 upvotes
Everly Robinson
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.

I'm a data analyst who relocated here from Salt Lake City about 7 years ago. The main reasons were cost of living and family.

Pros I've experienced:
- Good schools in most areas
- Good internet infrastructure
- Active local events and festivals

Cons that are real:
- Winters are long and cold
- Bugs and humidity in summer

Financially, we've found it hit or miss compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are developing, gas is decent.

Socially, I genuinely enjoy living here. Feel free to reach out with questions..
20 upvotes
Charlotte P.
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: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Westside. It's underrated for what you get.

Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in hospitality. If you're in healthcare you might struggle.

People: Generally underrated. It took about 13 months to build a solid friend group.

Food: decent. Tons of options if you like BBQ.

Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
16 upvotes
Aurora Nelson
I've been living here for 6 years and I'd say I love the pace of life here. The nightlife is tough compared to other places I've lived. Overall Hope this helps!.
16 upvotes
Leonardo
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.

I've been in Highland for 15 years. Moved from Tampa for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:

**Housing:**
The market right now is excellent. We bought in 2020 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. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.

**Employment:**
engineering is strong here. hospitality is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are affordable for the area.

**Quality of Life:**
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The outdoor scene is average - we have hiking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.

**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Highland schools are underrated. 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. Nightlife is limited. Homeless population growing downtown. And community vibe can be frustrating.

**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 5/10. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
15 upvotes
Serenity Cooper
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is outdoor recreation. I have mixed feelings honestly. Worth doing your research before committing.
13 upvotes
Alice Turner
literally same
11 upvotes
Isaac
Public transit is surprisingly good here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I love the pace of life here.
10 upvotes
Sophie C.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.

I've been in Eastside for 5 years. Moved from Denver for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:

**Housing:**
The market right now is excellent. We bought in 2022 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.

**Employment:**
real estate is strong here. legal is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are growing for the area.

**Quality of Life:**
it's improved dramatically in recent years. The outdoor scene is underrated - we have hiking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.

**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Eastside schools are decent. 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. Property taxes are high. And healthcare can be frustrating.

**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 6/10. It's not for everyone but it works for us.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
8 upvotes
Colton Edwards
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.

Background: I'm a sales manager, 56, moved here 12 years ago from San Diego. I've lived in Oak Park and Uptown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.

**What I love:**
1. Low crime in most neighborhoods
2. Lots of new development happening
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year

**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Road conditions need improvement
3. The cost of living situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving

**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Oak Park: Great for remote workers. improving vibes, walkable.
- Uptown: 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 Diego, everything felt improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $40K-$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.
5 upvotes
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