With a population of 83,223, Cicero is a smaller city. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Let me know your thoughts. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level.
22 upvotes
15 Replies
Asher Stewart
Bought a house here in 2020 and I genuinely enjoy living here. Property values have gone up significantly since then.
37 upvotes
Brooks King
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is dating scene. it's exactly what I was looking for. Worth doing your research before committing.
36 upvotes
Naomi Jackson
glad someone said it
35 upvotes
Joshua
seconding this
33 upvotes
Adrian Miller
nah I disagree
32 upvotes
Madeline Hernandez
My experience has been mostly positive. the quality of life is solid. The only thing I'd watch out for is nightlife. Other than that, Hope this helps!.
25 upvotes
Hailey S.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a marketing manager who relocated here from Seattle about 6 years ago. The main reasons were family and school.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Four distinct seasons
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Nightlife is limited
- Limited high-paying job options
Financially, we've found it underrated compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are stable, gas is better than expected.
Socially, it's exactly what I was looking for. No regrets on my end..
21 upvotes
Justin H.
I'm a data analyst and I've found I'm still on the fence after all this time. The community is better than expected and there's always something going on.
20 upvotes
Sadie Patel
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a real estate agent who relocated here from Charlotte about 3 years ago. The main reasons were retirement and cost of living.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Far from beaches/mountains
Financially, we've found it decent compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are competitive, gas is tough.
Socially, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Happy to answer more specific questions..
19 upvotes
Sadie Campbell
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 11 years ago from New York and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Eastside. It's underrated for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in finance. If you're in construction you might struggle.
People: Generally decent. It took about 14 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: decent. Tons of options if you like Korean.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
19 upvotes
Peyton
same here
11 upvotes
Connor Murphy
I've lived in Oak Park for about 12 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's exactly what I was looking for. When I first moved here from Boston, I was surprised by pet-friendliness. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Nice parks and green spaces
- The healthcare scene is surprisingly good
The downsides:
- Limited public transit options
- Homeless population growing downtown
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for remote workers. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
11 upvotes
Quinn Miller
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value traffic, you'll love it. The nightlife is genuinely average and I've found the quality of life is solid. My neighborhood (Sunset) is stable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Atlanta, be prepared for the culture shock. housing market is completely different here. And Nightlife is limited.
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.
7 upvotes
Colton Jones
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a software engineer, 58, moved here 2 years ago from Miami. I've lived in Pine Hills and Meadowbrook, 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 pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Rising rent and home prices
2. Dating scene is rough
3. The outdoor recreation situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Pine Hills: Great for couples. decent vibes, walkable.
- Meadowbrook: 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 Miami, everything felt underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $70K-$140K here.
**Final verdict:**
Definitely worth checking out.. 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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