I'm originally from Chicago and Rent is about $1,494/month for a decent place. It's a a small town city with about 18,643 people. Poverty rate is 3.4%, which is pretty low. The unemployment rate is 1.5%, which is pretty low. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Property taxes are high but you get good services.
6 upvotes
2 Replies
born_bennett81
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a software engineer, 28, moved here 13 years ago from Baltimore. I've lived in Greenfield and Midtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Nice parks and green spaces
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not very walkable outside downtown
2. Property taxes are high
3. The dating scene situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Greenfield: Great for young professionals. hit or miss 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 Baltimore, everything felt hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $50K-$120K 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.
30 upvotes
Leo
The food scene here is tough. Tons of great Korean places. I genuinely enjoy living here.
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