Alright, It's a a small town city with about 23,616 people. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The city has invested a lot in new development. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. I'd say it's better for families than young singles.
0 upvotes
15 Replies
Leah Baker
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in North for 2 years. Moved from Phoenix for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is excellent. We bought in 2018 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
construction is strong here. education is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are growing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The outdoor scene is excellent - we have hiking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. North schools are better than expected. 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. Property taxes are high. Homeless population growing downtown. And nightlife can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 8/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
40 upvotes
Alexander Watson
following this thread
39 upvotes
Naomi M.
exactly what I was thinking
34 upvotes
Andrew Morris
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 9 years ago from Minneapolis and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Oak Park. It's tough for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in hospitality. If you're in hospitality you might struggle.
People: Generally solid. It took about 16 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: tough. Tons of options if you like seafood.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
25 upvotes
Gabriella Peterson
facts
24 upvotes
Bella
Moved here last year, no regrets.
23 upvotes
Eli Moore
big facts right here
19 upvotes
Elijah Watson
The food scene here is underrated. Tons of great BBQ places. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
16 upvotes
nyclocal2020
facts
13 upvotes
Robert Cooper
Used to live on the West side, now on the East side. Completely different vibe. I'm still on the fence after all this time.
11 upvotes
Theodore Richardson
We moved here with our family and I love the pace of life here. Schools in Springfield area are tough. Kids love it here.
9 upvotes
Eli
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are decent, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
9 upvotes
fresnopapa2026
Used to live on the Lakewood side, now on the The Heights side. Completely different vibe. I have mixed feelings honestly.
9 upvotes
Alexander Lee
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are hit or miss, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
2 upvotes
Ethan Myers
My experience has been mostly positive. I have mixed feelings honestly. The only thing I'd watch out for is cultural scene. Other than that, Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
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