Been meaning to ask this. Household incomes average around $57,544 in Champaign. The unemployment rate is 2.6%, which is pretty low. You can expect to pay around $1,103 for rent here. Average temperature is around 55--F, so the weather is moderate. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Am I overthinking this? The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The food scene here is surprisingly good. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. It's not perfect, but the community is solid.
8 upvotes
4 Replies
river_vivian4
Bought a house here in 2018 and it exceeded my expectations. Property values have gone about the same since then.
32 upvotes
Katherine Torres
Weather-wise, the summers are surprisingly good and winters are growing. You get used to it after the first year.
29 upvotes
Kayla L.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value safety, you'll love it. The food scene is genuinely improving and I've found it was the best decision I ever made. My neighborhood (Greenfield) is reasonable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Chicago, be prepared for the culture shock. outdoor recreation is completely different here. And Limited high-paying job options.
My advice would be to visit for at least a week before committing. Rent first, don't buy. And explore multiple neighborhoods - they're all different.
14 upvotes
autumn_living
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem improving.
I've been here 13 years and I love the pace of life here. The thing nobody mentions is walkability. It's competitive and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the safety is legit. And if you're into hiking, this place is improving.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The West side vs the East side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
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