First post here. It's a a small town city with about 9,016 people. Average temperature is around 56--F, so the weather is moderate. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Any advice would be great. TIA! The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Property taxes are high but you get good services. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Property taxes are high but you get good services. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The food scene here is surprisingly good.
15 upvotes
15 Replies
Eleanor Cox
Came here for cost of living and stayed because it's been a really good experience overall. The job market is honestly improving and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
31 upvotes
Amelia
exactly what I was thinking
29 upvotes
nyc_piper
couldn't agree more
27 upvotes
raised_natalie24
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a data analyst, 47, moved here 8 years ago from Houston. I've lived in East and Sunset, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Low crime in most neighborhoods
2. Nice parks and green spaces
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited high-paying job options
2. Limited shopping options
3. The healthcare situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- East: Great for families. challenging vibes, walkable.
- Sunset: 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 Houston, everything felt excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $40K-$80K here.
**Final verdict:**
Happy to answer more specific questions.. 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.
26 upvotes
Grace Mitchell
Hot take but I genuinely enjoy living here. I know a lot of people disagree but after 13 years here, that's my honest assessment.
23 upvotes
Kevin R.
this is the way
21 upvotes
Isla Stewart
wish I knew this sooner
20 upvotes
Grace Green
Moved here from Boston about 15 years ago. it's been a really good experience overall. Still getting used to cost of living but Definitely worth checking out..
12 upvotes
Violet Wood
We moved here with our family and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Schools in Uptown area are improving. Kids love it here.
10 upvotes
Lydia Peterson
Came here for my partner's job and stayed because it was the best decision I ever made. The pet-friendliness is honestly surprisingly good and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
10 upvotes
Ezekiel Sanders
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem solid.
I've been here 4 years and I love the pace of life here. The thing nobody mentions is nightlife. It's reasonable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the public transit is legit. And if you're into mountain biking, this place is decent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The North side vs the Westside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
No regrets on my end..
8 upvotes
Caleb M.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 4 years ago from Charlotte and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Oak Park. It's improving for what you get.
Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in engineering. If you're in retail you might struggle.
People: Generally solid. It took about 17 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: better than expected. Tons of options if you like Asian.
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