Alright, I grew up here but left for a while. Median household income is $75,134, which feels about average for the area. The unemployment rate is 5.3%, which is about average. Poverty rate is 13.0%, which is around average. Household incomes average around $75,134 in Chicago. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. What do you all think? People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. It's changing fast — some good, some not so much. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that.
47 upvotes
31 Replies
Roman B.
This.
39 upvotes
Matthew Nguyen
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a social worker who relocated here from Miami about 7 years ago. The main reasons were weather and cost of living.
Pros I've experienced:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Good internet infrastructure
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Urban sprawl is real
Financially, we've found it average compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are competitive, gas is pretty good.
Socially, the quality of life is solid. Happy to answer more specific questions..
39 upvotes
Stella
as a local I can confirm
37 upvotes
Serenity Johnson
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem decent.
I've been here 14 years and I have mixed feelings honestly. The thing nobody mentions is healthcare. It's developing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the outdoor recreation is legit. And if you're into fishing, this place is hit or miss.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Riverside side vs the Maple Ridge side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
34 upvotes
Parker Lewis
I've lived in North for about 11 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I genuinely enjoy living here. When I first moved here from Pittsburgh, I was surprised by cultural scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Affordable housing options
- The walkability scene is better than expected
The downsides:
- Winters are long and cold
- Urban sprawl is real
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for young professionals. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
34 upvotes
Natalie P.
glad someone said it
33 upvotes
Isla T.
hmm interesting perspective
32 upvotes
Samantha R.
Hot take but the quality of life is solid. I know a lot of people disagree but after 1 years here, that's my honest assessment.
30 upvotes
wesley_dude
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a pharmacist who relocated here from Raleigh about 7 years ago. The main reasons were a fresh start and weather.
Pros I've experienced:
- Strong job market in several industries
- Four distinct seasons
- Good airport with direct flights
Cons that are real:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Road conditions need improvement
Financially, we've found it improving compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are reasonable, gas is excellent.
Socially, it was the best decision I ever made. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
29 upvotes
Carolyn C.
I'm a contractor and I've found it's exactly what I was looking for. The community is surprisingly good and there's always something going on.
29 upvotes
John C.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it was the best decision I ever made. Internet is tough in most areas.
27 upvotes
Asher W.
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Good luck with whatever you decide..
27 upvotes
Madelyn Cruz
+1
26 upvotes
Genesis Kelly
interesting, hadn't considered that
25 upvotes
Isabelle Davis
seconding this
25 upvotes
Denise H.
facts
23 upvotes
Sharon K.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a sales manager, 52, moved here 6 years ago from Portland. I've lived in Westside and Springfield, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Good schools in most areas
3. Four distinct seasons
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Road conditions need improvement
3. The pet-friendliness situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Westside: Great for families. hit or miss vibes, walkable.
- Springfield: 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 Portland, everything felt underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $60K-$110K here.
**Final verdict:**
Would recommend to anyone considering it.. 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.
22 upvotes
Alexa D.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a pharmacist, 30, moved here 14 years ago from Atlanta. I've lived in Sunset and Greenfield, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Good schools in most areas
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Urban sprawl is real
2. Dating scene is rough
3. The traffic situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Sunset: Great for retirees. decent 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 Atlanta, everything felt hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $100K-$130K here.
**Final verdict:**
Feel free to reach out with 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.
20 upvotes
Everly Diaz
honestly same experience here
20 upvotes
Jameson Hall
Used to live on the Riverside side, now on the Oak Park side. Completely different vibe. the quality of life is solid.
19 upvotes
Cora Turner
nah I disagree
19 upvotes
Jaxon Lopez
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's exactly what I was looking for. Internet is excellent in most areas.
18 upvotes
lucas_girl
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: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Springfield. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in hospitality. If you're in consulting you might struggle.
People: Generally excellent. It took about 14 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: tough. Tons of options if you like Vietnamese.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
18 upvotes
Aria Cruz
spot on
16 upvotes
Sophie Williams
My experience has been mostly positive. it's been a really good experience overall. The only thing I'd watch out for is community vibe. Other than that, Good luck with whatever you decide..
16 upvotes
David Davis
same here
14 upvotes
Aaron G.
I've lived in South for about 9 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I have mixed feelings honestly. When I first moved here from Portland, I was surprised by cultural scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- The healthcare scene is tough
The downsides:
- Winters are long and cold
- Far from beaches/mountains
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for young professionals. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
13 upvotes
Mia Collins
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a accountant, 58, moved here 15 years ago from Boston. I've lived in Springfield and Old Town, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Good schools in most areas
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Nightlife is limited
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The traffic situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Springfield: Great for singles. surprisingly good vibes, walkable.
- Old Town: 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 Boston, everything felt solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $70K-$80K here.
**Final verdict:**
Feel free to reach out with 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.
12 upvotes
Linda B.
underrated comment
4 upvotes
Melanie J.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a sales manager, 33, moved here 4 years ago from Nashville. I've lived in Fairview and Maple Ridge, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good healthcare facilities
2. Four distinct seasons
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Homeless population growing downtown
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The nightlife situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Fairview: Great for retirees. surprisingly good vibes, walkable.
- Maple Ridge: 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 Nashville, everything felt excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $40K-$130K here.
**Final verdict:**
Would recommend to anyone considering it.. 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.
3 upvotes
Violet Baker
Came here for retirement and stayed because I'm still on the fence after all this time. The safety is honestly challenging and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
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