Hello, I'm a college student here and You can expect to pay around $1,718 for rent here. Homes are going for about $298,000 on average. Crime rate is something to consider -Channahon sits at 53.3 per 100K. Median household income is $121,458, which feels pretty solid for the area. The unemployment rate is 5.1%, which is about average. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly.
Pros:
- Growing food scene
- Low crime in most areas
- Good internet infrastructure
Cons:
- Traffic can be terrible
- Limited public transit
- Lack of diversity
- Poor road conditions
- Not enough green space
Looking forward to hearing from you all. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Property taxes are high but you get good services. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. The city has invested a lot in new development. The suburbs are where most families end up. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The suburbs are where most families end up. The weather takes some getting used to. The suburbs are where most families end up. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse.
2 upvotes
13 Replies
Santiago Scott
As someone who grew up here, I'm still on the fence after all this time. A lot has changed in the past few years though. healthcare used to be much established but now it's pretty good.
39 upvotes
Eva Watson
seconding this
25 upvotes
Elena H.
great question, following
20 upvotes
Adrian C.
lol so true
18 upvotes
Valentina Smith
I've lived in Old Town for about 12 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. When I first moved here from Portland, I was surprised by traffic. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Decent public transit for the size
- Good internet infrastructure
- The walkability scene is tough
The downsides:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Chain restaurants dominate
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for singles. Feel free to reach out with questions..
17 upvotes
Jayden Jones
Hot take but there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. I know a lot of people disagree but after 15 years here, that's my honest assessment.
12 upvotes
Dylan Gomez
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, the quality of life is solid. Feel free to reach out with questions..
8 upvotes
wesley_soul
noted, appreciate it
7 upvotes
Abigail Ward
My experience has been mostly positive. it's been a really good experience overall. The only thing I'd watch out for is healthcare. Other than that, Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
7 upvotes
Alice Martinez
I've lived in West for about 2 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I'm still on the fence after all this time. When I first moved here from Houston, I was surprised by traffic. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Nice parks and green spaces
- The cost of living scene is challenging
The downsides:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Road conditions need improvement
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for remote workers. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
7 upvotes
Dennis A.
I've been living here for 14 years and I'd say I'm still on the fence after all this time. The cultural scene is tough compared to other places I've lived. Overall No regrets on my end..
7 upvotes
Martha F.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a contractor who relocated here from Charlotte about 8 years ago. The main reasons were quality of life and work.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Good healthcare facilities
Cons that are real:
- Limited public transit options
- Urban sprawl is real
Financially, we've found it hit or miss compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are growing, gas is better than expected.
Socially, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
5 upvotes
Claire Adams
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a project manager, 35, moved here 9 years ago from Baltimore. I've lived in Pine Hills and Highland, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Lots of new development happening
4. The people are generally solid - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited shopping options
2. Dating scene is rough
3. The healthcare situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Pine Hills: Great for young professionals. hit or miss vibes, walkable.
- Highland: 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 Baltimore, everything felt excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $80K-$110K here.
**Final verdict:**
It's not for everyone but it works for us.. 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.
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