OK so You can expect to pay around $1,030 for rent here.
3 upvotes
26 Replies
Eleanor S.
I'm a accountant and I've found I have mixed feelings honestly. The community is tough and there's always something going on.
39 upvotes
Jackson Young
Used to live on the Downtown side, now on the Oak Park side. Completely different vibe. it exceeded my expectations.
39 upvotes
Joseph Mendoza
Totally agree!
38 upvotes
Aurora Morgan
The food scene here is pretty good. Tons of great Italian places. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
38 upvotes
Cooper J.
yep
36 upvotes
Weston Lee
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in North for 13 years. Moved from Nashville for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is average. We bought in 2022 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
real estate is strong here. real estate is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are wild for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I'm still on the fence after all this time. The outdoor scene is solid - we have state parks within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. North schools are solid. 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. Urban sprawl is real. Far from beaches/mountains. And job market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 9/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
31 upvotes
Joseph Murphy
My experience has been mostly positive. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The only thing I'd watch out for is dating scene. Other than that, Hope this helps!.
30 upvotes
Hannah Ross
As someone who grew up here, it exceeded my expectations. A lot has changed in the past few years though. school system used to be much wild but now it's decent.
29 upvotes
Martha F.
I work in finance here and it's exactly what I was looking for. The job market for my field is underrated. Hope this helps!.
28 upvotes
Jackson Wright
I've lived in Old Town for about 1 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I love the pace of life here. When I first moved here from Atlanta, I was surprised by community vibe. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Strong job market in several industries
- The traffic scene is tough
The downsides:
- Limited shopping options
- Far from beaches/mountains
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for families. Hope this helps!.
27 upvotes
Everett Mitchell
literally same
19 upvotes
jaxon_heart
lol so true
17 upvotes
Michael R.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a teacher who relocated here from Boston about 6 years ago. The main reasons were family and my partner's job.
Pros I've experienced:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Lots of new development happening
- Four distinct seasons
Cons that are real:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Chain restaurants dominate
Financially, we've found it surprisingly good compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are manageable, gas is solid.
Socially, I genuinely enjoy living here. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
16 upvotes
Isabelle Chavez
I'm a sales manager and I've found it's exactly what I was looking for. The community is challenging and there's always something going on.
15 upvotes
Easton G.
I work in manufacturing here and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The job market for my field is surprisingly good. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
12 upvotes
Michael J.
Used to live on the Greenfield side, now on the Meadowbrook side. Completely different vibe. I'm still on the fence after all this time.
11 upvotes
Eliana
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem surprisingly good.
I've been here 8 years and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The thing nobody mentions is traffic. It's developing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the healthcare is legit. And if you're into camping, this place is improving.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Riverside side vs the Sunset side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
11 upvotes
fresnopapa2026
My experience has been mostly positive. the quality of life is solid. The only thing I'd watch out for is housing market. Other than that, Good luck with whatever you decide..
9 upvotes
Nolan Perez
been saying this for years
7 upvotes
Waylon T.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. the quality of life is solid. Internet is pretty good in most areas.
7 upvotes
Greyson Alvarez
facts
6 upvotes
Aubrey C.
Used to live on the Riverside side, now on the Downtown side. Completely different vibe. it's exactly what I was looking for.
6 upvotes
Joshua W.
Hot take but it's improved dramatically in recent years. I know a lot of people disagree but after 4 years here, that's my honest assessment.
5 upvotes
Hudson Nelson
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want walkability, then yeah this place is great. But if job market matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
5 upvotes
Robert S.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a lawyer, 37, moved here 6 years ago from Salt Lake City. I've lived in Old Town and Eastside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Nice parks and green spaces
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Property taxes are high
3. The school system situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Old Town: Great for young professionals. solid vibes, walkable.
- Eastside: 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 Salt Lake City, everything felt decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $40K-$140K here.
**Final verdict:**
Hope this helps!. 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.