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native_noah56
housing
First time home buyer in Coram
First post here. Rent is about $2,529/month for a decent place.
28 upvotes
29 Replies
Harper Price
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want cost of living, then yeah this place is great. But if pet-friendliness matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
40 upvotes
Helen F.
Bought a house here in 2019 and it's exactly what I was looking for. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
38 upvotes
Aubrey W.
I work in real estate here and it's improved dramatically in recent years. The job market for my field is solid. Definitely worth checking out..
38 upvotes
Leah H.
Hot take but it's improved dramatically in recent years. I know a lot of people disagree but after 14 years here, that's my honest assessment.
36 upvotes
Michael Brown
yeah no that's not right
35 upvotes
anna_life
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 4-bedroom. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Compared to Dallas it's pretty good.
34 upvotes
Everett
Saving this thread
33 upvotes
Cora M.
We moved here with our family and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Schools in Pine Hills area are excellent. Kids love it here.
32 upvotes
David Garcia
I'm a data analyst and I've found I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The community is surprisingly good and there's always something going on.
30 upvotes
elena_walker
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are better than expected, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
30 upvotes
Madeline
Bought a house here in 2019 and I love the pace of life here. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
29 upvotes
Elijah Allen
I work in consulting here and it's improved dramatically in recent years. The job market for my field is hit or miss. Definitely worth checking out..
28 upvotes
Adrian Cruz
couldn't agree more
27 upvotes
Aaliyah Morales
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a real estate agent, 32, moved here 15 years ago from San Francisco. I've lived in Uptown and Riverside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited shopping options
2. Dating scene is rough
3. The school system situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Uptown: Great for singles. surprisingly good vibes, walkable.
- Riverside: 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 San Francisco, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $80K-$100K here.
**Final verdict:**
Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. 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.
Background: I'm a real estate agent, 32, moved here 15 years ago from San Francisco. I've lived in Uptown and Riverside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited shopping options
2. Dating scene is rough
3. The school system situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Uptown: Great for singles. surprisingly good vibes, walkable.
- Riverside: 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 San Francisco, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $80K-$100K here.
**Final verdict:**
Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. 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.
24 upvotes
Ellie Adams
We moved here with our family and I genuinely enjoy living here. Schools in Oak Park area are hit or miss. Kids love it here.
22 upvotes
Sadie Garcia
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a pharmacist, 25, moved here 7 years ago from Denver. I've lived in Cedar Grove and Maple Ridge, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Friendly community, easy to meet people
3. Good schools in most areas
4. The people are generally solid - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Rising rent and home prices
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The job market situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Cedar Grove: Great for young professionals. pretty 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 Denver, everything felt challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $100K-$120K here.
**Final verdict:**
Happy to answer more specific 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.
Background: I'm a pharmacist, 25, moved here 7 years ago from Denver. I've lived in Cedar Grove and Maple Ridge, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Friendly community, easy to meet people
3. Good schools in most areas
4. The people are generally solid - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Rising rent and home prices
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The job market situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Cedar Grove: Great for young professionals. pretty 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 Denver, everything felt challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $100K-$120K here.
**Final verdict:**
Happy to answer more specific 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.
22 upvotes
true_peyton88
We moved here with our family and it's improved dramatically in recent years. Schools in North area are excellent. Kids love it here.
21 upvotes
Olivia R.
I'm a HR manager and I've found it exceeded my expectations. The community is excellent and there's always something going on.
20 upvotes
Wyatt
hard disagree but ok
17 upvotes
Maya J.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a marketing manager, 28, moved here 4 years ago from Portland. I've lived in West and Fairview, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good internet infrastructure
2. Close to major attractions
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited shopping options
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The nightlife situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- West: Great for remote workers. pretty good vibes, walkable.
- Fairview: 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 growing. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $50K-$120K 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.
Background: I'm a marketing manager, 28, moved here 4 years ago from Portland. I've lived in West and Fairview, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good internet infrastructure
2. Close to major attractions
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited shopping options
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The nightlife situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- West: Great for remote workers. pretty good vibes, walkable.
- Fairview: 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 growing. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $50K-$120K 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.
15 upvotes
Genesis Green
yeah no that's not right
13 upvotes
Emily Evans
following this thread
13 upvotes
Maverick
Hot take but it exceeded my expectations. I know a lot of people disagree but after 11 years here, that's my honest assessment.
12 upvotes
sacramentogirl2026
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem decent.
I've been here 10 years and I love the pace of life here. The thing nobody mentions is healthcare. It's wild and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the dating scene is legit. And if you're into rock climbing, this place is improving.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Oak Park side vs the Meadowbrook side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
I've been here 10 years and I love the pace of life here. The thing nobody mentions is healthcare. It's wild and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the dating scene is legit. And if you're into rock climbing, this place is improving.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Oak Park side vs the Meadowbrook side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
12 upvotes
Ian King
Saving this thread
10 upvotes
Everly J.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 12 years ago from Charlotte and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Springfield. It's improving for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in hospitality. If you're in real estate you might struggle.
People: Generally improving. It took about 15 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: challenging. Tons of options if you like craft beer.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Springfield. It's improving for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in hospitality. If you're in real estate you might struggle.
People: Generally improving. It took about 15 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: challenging. Tons of options if you like craft beer.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
5 upvotes
Isaiah
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a sales manager, 50, moved here 15 years ago from Miami. I've lived in Downtown and Midtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Good healthcare facilities
3. Strong job market in several industries
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Property taxes are high
3. The weather situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Downtown: Great for families. underrated vibes, walkable.
- Midtown: 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 solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $100K-$130K here.
**Final verdict:**
Happy to answer more specific 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.
Background: I'm a sales manager, 50, moved here 15 years ago from Miami. I've lived in Downtown and Midtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Good healthcare facilities
3. Strong job market in several industries
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Property taxes are high
3. The weather situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Downtown: Great for families. underrated vibes, walkable.
- Midtown: 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 solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $100K-$130K here.
**Final verdict:**
Happy to answer more specific 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.
2 upvotes
Roman Morris
this is the way
1 upvotes
Jace Long
Came here for my partner's job and stayed because it was the best decision I ever made. The weather is honestly surprisingly good and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
0 upvotes