I'm retired and Poverty rate is 5.0%, which is pretty low. It's a a small town city with about 15,011 people. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The city has invested a lot in new development. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable.
13 upvotes
13 Replies
sdrunner2025
Moved here from Atlanta about 15 years ago. it's improved dramatically in recent years. Still getting used to safety but Good luck with whatever you decide..
40 upvotes
Reagan Diaz
I've been living here for 2 years and I'd say I have mixed feelings honestly. The food scene is excellent compared to other places I've lived. Overall Definitely worth checking out..
31 upvotes
Dylan Brooks
literally same
28 upvotes
Grayson H.
Moved here last year, no regrets.
26 upvotes
Madeline K.
The food scene here is tough. Tons of great Korean places. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now.
24 upvotes
Brooks Torres
Totally agree!
21 upvotes
mesa_camila
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is food scene. it's improved dramatically in recent years. Worth doing your research before committing.
21 upvotes
Daniel Hernandez
I've lived in Eastside for about 8 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. When I first moved here from Chicago, I was surprised by nightlife. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Nice parks and green spaces
- The walkability scene is underrated
The downsides:
- Limited public transit options
- Nightlife is limited
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for remote workers. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
14 upvotes
Adam Diaz
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem underrated.
I've been here 3 years and I have mixed feelings honestly. The thing nobody mentions is nightlife. It's reasonable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the housing market is legit. And if you're into surfing, this place is better than expected.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Eastside side vs the Oak Park side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
11 upvotes
happy_violet50
great question, following
11 upvotes
Roman Nelson
100%
8 upvotes
Teresa P.
My experience has been mostly positive. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The only thing I'd watch out for is outdoor recreation. Other than that, No regrets on my end..
1 upvotes
Sarah Hughes
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 3 years ago from Portland and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Old Town. It's pretty good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in construction. If you're in finance you might struggle.
People: Generally excellent. It took about 6 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: tough. Tons of options if you like farm-to-table.
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