Alright, Let me know your thoughts. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood.
16 upvotes
7 Replies
Serenity
I've been living here for 13 years and I'd say I'm still on the fence after all this time. The job market is decent compared to other places I've lived. Overall Definitely worth checking out..
25 upvotes
Chloe
hard disagree but ok
15 upvotes
mountain_sophia28
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a chef, 44, moved here 1 years ago from Minneapolis. I've lived in Uptown and Oak Park, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Chain restaurants dominate
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The food scene situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Uptown: Great for young professionals. improving vibes, walkable.
- Oak Park: 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 Minneapolis, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $40K-$130K here.
**Final verdict:**
Feel free to reach out with 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.
11 upvotes
Jack P.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a writer who relocated here from Portland about 3 years ago. The main reasons were weather and family.
Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Diverse dining options
Cons that are real:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Limited high-paying job options
Financially, we've found it tough compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are manageable, gas is better than expected.
Socially, it's not perfect but it works for me. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
11 upvotes
Rylee H.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem decent.
I've been here 5 years and it's been a really good experience overall. The thing nobody mentions is food scene. It's reasonable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the school system is legit. And if you're into golfing, this place is excellent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Sunset side vs the Greenfield side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
6 upvotes
Ariana
yep
4 upvotes
living_valentina55
Bought a house here in 2018 and it's improved dramatically in recent years. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
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