Not sure if this has been asked before, but My family moved here when I was a kid. The median home value here is around $1,058,200, which is pretty steep. It's a a smaller city city with about 65,389 people. The food scene here is surprisingly good. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Does this match your experience? It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. The weather takes some getting used to. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Night life is decent if you know the right spots.
5 upvotes
3 Replies
kc_roman
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a real estate agent, 37, moved here 8 years ago from Seattle. I've lived in North and Oak Park, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Lots of new development happening
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Rising rent and home prices
2. Property taxes are high
3. The weather situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- North: Great for retirees. surprisingly good vibes, walkable.
- Oak Park: 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 Seattle, everything felt decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $40K-$140K here.
**Final verdict:**
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. 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.
27 upvotes
Luna J.
underrated comment
9 upvotes
Sarah A.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want school system, then yeah this place is great. But if job market matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
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