Rent is about $815/month for a decent place. Poverty rate is 16.1%, which is higher than I expected. Median household income is $41,705, which feels on the lower side for the area. The city has invested a lot in new development. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Thanks! It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The food scene here is surprisingly good. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The weather takes some getting used to. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The weather takes some getting used to.
10 upvotes
9 Replies
Thomas Long
great question, following
35 upvotes
Henry
100%
33 upvotes
Bryan C.
I've been living here for 1 years and I'd say it exceeded my expectations. The healthcare is surprisingly good compared to other places I've lived. Overall It's not for everyone but it works for us..
30 upvotes
Zoey S.
underrated comment
24 upvotes
Piper A.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 5 years ago from Phoenix and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in North. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is manageable right now, especially in construction. If you're in finance you might struggle.
People: Generally hit or miss. It took about 18 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: improving. Tons of options if you like craft beer.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
11 upvotes
cora_dude
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 2 years ago from Tampa and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Oak Park. It's pretty good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in consulting. If you're in construction you might struggle.
People: Generally improving. It took about 13 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: underrated. Tons of options if you like craft beer.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
11 upvotes
Zoey C.
Public transit is improving here. You'll probably need a car for most things. the quality of life is solid.
4 upvotes
Kai P.
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is safety. I love the pace of life here. Worth doing your research before committing.
3 upvotes
Maverick Scott
As someone who grew up here, I'm still on the fence after all this time. A lot has changed in the past few years though. healthcare used to be much competitive but now it's decent.
All Countries
