It's a a small town city with about 19,185 people. Poverty rate is 1.2%, which is pretty low. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Let me know your thoughts. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The suburbs are where most families end up. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look.
7 upvotes
4 Replies
Amelia Foster
accurate
25 upvotes
Katherine
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a physical therapist who relocated here from Seattle about 9 years ago. The main reasons were quality of life and retirement.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good healthcare facilities
- Good internet infrastructure
- Good airport with direct flights
Cons that are real:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Far from beaches/mountains
Financially, we've found it challenging compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are pricey, gas is hit or miss.
Socially, it's been a really good experience overall. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
14 upvotes
Mackenzie Evans
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Internet is hit or miss in most areas.
4 upvotes
colton_walker
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem decent.
I've been here 12 years and I genuinely enjoy living here. The thing nobody mentions is pet-friendliness. It's competitive 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 better than expected.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The North side vs the Oak Park side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
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