Hey folks, I'm a college student here and The median home value here is around $281,700, which seems about average. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Am I wrong here? The weather takes some getting used to.
15 upvotes
15 Replies
Emilia Foster
+1
38 upvotes
Linda R.
this is the way
37 upvotes
Olivia Price
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Internet is challenging in most areas.
37 upvotes
Sarah Phillips
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.
36 upvotes
Leah Evans
bump
34 upvotes
Lawrence P.
Weather-wise, the summers are better than expected and winters are reasonable. You get used to it after the first year.
30 upvotes
Hudson
Used to live on the East side, now on the North side. Completely different vibe. it's been a really good experience overall.
30 upvotes
Jace Ward
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 1-bedroom. it exceeded my expectations. Compared to San Francisco it's decent.
28 upvotes
Kathleen C.
As someone who grew up here, it's improved dramatically in recent years. A lot has changed in the past few years though. cost of living used to be much reasonable but now it's excellent.
26 upvotes
Eleanor Taylor
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in East for 12 years. Moved from Pittsburgh for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is better than expected. 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 4-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
healthcare is strong here. tech is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are stable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
the quality of life is solid. The outdoor scene is tough - we have national forests within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. East schools are average. 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. Traffic during rush hour is rough. Limited shopping options. And dating scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 8/10. Definitely worth checking out.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
25 upvotes
Violet Hall
I've been living here for 14 years and I'd say I have mixed feelings honestly. The weather is decent compared to other places I've lived. Overall Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
22 upvotes
Sofia Young
The food scene here is excellent. Tons of great sushi places. the quality of life is solid.
16 upvotes
Kathleen C.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want community vibe, then yeah this place is great. But if weather matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
6 upvotes
Jordan Lopez
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem excellent.
I've been here 11 years and I genuinely enjoy living here. The thing nobody mentions is public transit. 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 running, this place is better than expected.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Oak Park side vs the Eastside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Definitely worth checking out..
5 upvotes
Connor Lewis
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: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Sunset. It's surprisingly good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in government. If you're in finance you might struggle.
People: Generally decent. It took about 18 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: better than expected. Tons of options if you like Mexican.
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