First post here. I work in construction and You can expect to pay around $1,121 for rent here. The median home value here is around $236,000, which is actually reasonable. Household incomes average around $68,548 in Cicero. The unemployment rate is 2.7%, which is pretty low. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Should I be concerned? Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. The weather takes some getting used to. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. The weather takes some getting used to. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level.
17 upvotes
6 Replies
Stella Bailey
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Old Town for 12 years. Moved from Charlotte for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is surprisingly good. We bought in 2021 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
engineering is strong here. legal is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are developing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's exactly what I was looking for. The outdoor scene is hit or miss - we have rivers within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Old Town schools are improving. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.
**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Urban sprawl is real. Property taxes are high. And job market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 9/10. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
28 upvotes
nolan_vibes
As someone who grew up here, it's not perfect but it works for me. A lot has changed in the past few years though. traffic used to be much pricey but now it's excellent.
27 upvotes
nyc_eliana
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 1 years ago from LA and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Old Town. It's better than expected for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in finance. If you're in engineering you might struggle.
People: Generally challenging. It took about 7 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: solid. Tons of options if you like Mexican.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
27 upvotes
Theodore Sanders
great question, following
22 upvotes
Weston Jones
I work in hospitality here and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The job market for my field is improving. Feel free to reach out with questions..
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