Hey, Rent is about $2,751/month for a decent place. Median household income is $147,128, which feels pretty solid for the area. You can expect to pay around $2,751 for rent here. Poverty rate is 2.7%, which is pretty low. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The city has invested a lot in new development. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. What neighborhoods would you suggest? There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The city has invested a lot in new development. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The city has invested a lot in new development.
2 upvotes
12 Replies
sadie_dude
Came here for quality of life and stayed because it was the best decision I ever made. The dating scene is honestly average and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
38 upvotes
Henry
seconding this
25 upvotes
Roman P.
same here
22 upvotes
Sofia James
As someone who grew up here, I have mixed feelings honestly. A lot has changed in the past few years though. food scene used to be much manageable but now it's underrated.
20 upvotes
Judy G.
I work in tech here and I genuinely enjoy living here. The job market for my field is solid. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
19 upvotes
Elizabeth Alvarez
accurate
18 upvotes
Nicholas Cooper
it depends on the neighborhood
17 upvotes
Nova Kim
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a data analyst, 29, moved here 3 years ago from San Francisco. I've lived in Sunset and Greenfield, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Lots of new development happening
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Nightlife is limited
3. The healthcare situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Sunset: Great for families. improving vibes, walkable.
- Greenfield: 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 Francisco, everything felt excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $60K-$70K here.
**Final verdict:**
No regrets on my end.. 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.
16 upvotes
Theodore
Came here for quality of life and stayed because it's exactly what I was looking for. The cultural scene is honestly surprisingly good and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
13 upvotes
Ariana Smith
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are hit or miss, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
12 upvotes
Jonathan
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem underrated.
I've been here 1 years and it was the best decision I ever made. The thing nobody mentions is nightlife. It's competitive and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the safety is legit. And if you're into mountain biking, this place is challenging.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The East side vs the Oak Park side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Definitely worth checking out..
3 upvotes
Piper
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 12 years ago from Atlanta and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Greenfield. It's tough for what you get.
Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in legal. If you're in marketing you might struggle.
People: Generally average. It took about 11 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: improving. Tons of options if you like farm-to-table.
All Countries
