Been meaning to ask this. I've been here for 6 years and The median home value here is around $641,900, which is pretty steep. Poverty rate is 5.2%, which is pretty low. It's a a smaller city city with about 32,984 people. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The city has invested a lot in new development.
0 upvotes
13 Replies
Emmett Edwards
couldn't agree more
35 upvotes
Jeremiah W.
nah I disagree
32 upvotes
Zoey Hill
Can confirm, been here 3 years.
27 upvotes
Jeremiah G.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem average.
I've been here 8 years and the quality of life is solid. The thing nobody mentions is housing market. It's developing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cost of living is legit. And if you're into golfing, this place is average.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Highland side vs the South side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
24 upvotes
Declan L.
good to know, thanks
19 upvotes
Katherine Thomas
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's not perfect but it works for me. Internet is decent in most areas.
16 upvotes
John Walker
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem hit or miss.
I've been here 1 years and it exceeded my expectations. The thing nobody mentions is cost of living. It's manageable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the food scene is legit. And if you're into skiing, this place is tough.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Downtown side vs the Oak Park side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
No regrets on my end..
16 upvotes
Eli
I've lived in Old Town for about 1 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. When I first moved here from Miami, I was surprised by school system. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- The cultural scene scene is average
The downsides:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for couples. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
14 upvotes
desert_ezekiel30
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want food scene, then yeah this place is great. But if community vibe matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
12 upvotes
Logan C.
I've lived in Eastside for about 11 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it was the best decision I ever made. When I first moved here from Boston, I was surprised by school system. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Strong sense of community
- The dating scene scene is improving
The downsides:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Can feel isolated
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for retirees. No regrets on my end..
5 upvotes
Nicholas Thomas
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem hit or miss.
I've been here 6 years and the quality of life is solid. The thing nobody mentions is safety. It's competitive and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the dating scene is legit. And if you're into photography, this place is decent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Meadowbrook side vs the Westside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
3 upvotes
Henry Reed
great question, following
1 upvotes
Eli Wilson
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in South for 1 years. Moved from Baltimore for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is excellent. We bought in 2021 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
manufacturing is strong here. construction is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are affordable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's not perfect but it works for me. The outdoor scene is excellent - we have ski resorts within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. South schools are underrated. 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. Limited high-paying job options. Not a lot of cultural diversity. And school system can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 6/10. Definitely worth checking out.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
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