OK so We're a young couple and Median household income is $27,826, which feels on the lower side for the area. Average temperature is around 68--F, so the weather is moderate. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Worth the trade-offs? The food scene here is surprisingly good. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The weather takes some getting used to.
1 upvotes
14 Replies
Clara Phillips
great question, following
40 upvotes
Emilia
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are average, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
37 upvotes
Oliver M.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value cost of living, you'll love it. The pet-friendliness is genuinely pretty good and I've found it exceeded my expectations. My neighborhood (Fairview) is developing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from New York, be prepared for the culture shock. pet-friendliness is completely different here. And Urban sprawl is real.
My advice would be to visit for at least a week before committing. Rent first, don't buy. And explore multiple neighborhoods - they're all different.
35 upvotes
loving_stella16
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem improving.
I've been here 15 years and I genuinely enjoy living here. The thing nobody mentions is healthcare. It's competitive and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the pet-friendliness is legit. And if you're into surfing, this place is better than expected.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Pine Hills side vs the Oak Park side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
34 upvotes
Oliver M.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want cultural scene, then yeah this place is great. But if food scene matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
25 upvotes
Genesis
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are improving, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
23 upvotes
Declan Ramos
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I genuinely enjoy living here. Internet is surprisingly good in most areas.
21 upvotes
Alice Davis
I've been living here for 14 years and I'd say I'm still on the fence after all this time. The cost of living is pretty good compared to other places I've lived. Overall Hope this helps!.
19 upvotes
Allison Chavez
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a accountant who relocated here from Boston about 4 years ago. The main reasons were school and work.
Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Four distinct seasons
Cons that are real:
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
- Homeless population growing downtown
Financially, we've found it excellent compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are affordable, gas is better than expected.
Socially, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
13 upvotes
carson_dude
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem tough.
I've been here 1 years and the quality of life is solid. The thing nobody mentions is school system. It's competitive and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the school system is legit. And if you're into biking, this place is underrated.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Pine Hills side vs the Maple Ridge side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
8 upvotes
Joshua Gonzalez
seconding this
8 upvotes
Leah Thompson
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want traffic, then yeah this place is great. But if walkability matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
5 upvotes
Allison
I'm a physical therapist and I've found it's improved dramatically in recent years. The community is decent and there's always something going on.
4 upvotes
Julian Jimenez
Moved here from New York about 11 years ago. it was the best decision I ever made. Still getting used to cultural scene but Would recommend to anyone considering it..
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