First post here. I grew up here but left for a while. It's a a smaller city city with about 50,981 people. Rent is about $1,665/month for a decent place. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Am I overthinking this? TIA! Property taxes are high but you get good services. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The suburbs are where most families end up. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The food scene here is surprisingly good.
3 upvotes
8 Replies
Aurora Robinson
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem solid.
I've been here 4 years and it's exactly what I was looking for. The thing nobody mentions is healthcare. It's manageable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the school system is legit. And if you're into running, this place is average.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The West side vs the Uptown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
32 upvotes
Leo Ward
I work in hospitality here and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The job market for my field is excellent. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
29 upvotes
Eli Scott
lol so true
25 upvotes
Hazel Gutierrez
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem average.
I've been here 5 years and I love the pace of life here. The thing nobody mentions is pet-friendliness. It's wild and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the healthcare is legit. And if you're into rock climbing, this place is surprisingly good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Greenfield side vs the Oak Park side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
22 upvotes
Reagan
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a physical therapist who relocated here from San Diego about 11 years ago. The main reasons were school and weather.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good healthcare facilities
- Affordable housing options
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Winters are long and cold
- Limited entertainment options
Financially, we've found it hit or miss compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are competitive, gas is solid.
Socially, I love the pace of life here. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
18 upvotes
Parker C.
it depends on the neighborhood
15 upvotes
Julian C.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 3 years ago from Baltimore and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Cedar Grove. It's surprisingly good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in healthcare. If you're in manufacturing you might struggle.
People: Generally underrated. It took about 5 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: average. Tons of options if you like Asian.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
8 upvotes
Addison Sanchez
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 12 years ago from Minneapolis and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in North. It's tough for what you get.
Jobs: The market is manageable right now, especially in manufacturing. If you're in education you might struggle.
People: Generally average. It took about 10 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: average. Tons of options if you like Mediterranean.
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