Hey, Born and raised here. Rent is about $1,914/month for a decent place. The unemployment rate is 3.5%, which is pretty low. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Anyone in a similar situation? I'd say it's better for families than young singles. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting.
9 upvotes
25 Replies
Mackenzie Harris
same here
40 upvotes
Catherine R.
Can confirm, been here 7 years.
36 upvotes
Thomas E.
The food scene here is decent. Tons of great Vietnamese places. I have mixed feelings honestly.
33 upvotes
Roman White
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem better than expected.
I've been here 11 years and I have mixed feelings honestly. The thing nobody mentions is walkability. It's pricey and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cultural scene is legit. And if you're into fishing, this place is better than expected.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Sunset side vs the North side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
32 upvotes
Easton James
Can confirm, been here 8 years.
31 upvotes
Alice P.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a writer who relocated here from Denver about 1 years ago. The main reasons were a job opportunity and school.
Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Strong job market in several industries
- Affordable housing options
Cons that are real:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Limited entertainment options
Financially, we've found it surprisingly good compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are affordable, gas is pretty good.
Socially, I'm still on the fence after all this time. Hope this helps!.
29 upvotes
Abigail F.
nah I disagree
28 upvotes
Emilia J.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Midtown for 12 years. Moved from Baltimore for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is better than expected. We bought in 2017 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
healthcare is strong here. marketing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are manageable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I genuinely enjoy living here. The outdoor scene is solid - we have beaches within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Midtown schools are improving. 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. Nightlife is limited. Road conditions need improvement. And cost of living can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 9/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
27 upvotes
Adam Watson
seconding this
21 upvotes
Isaac Ward
good to know, thanks
18 upvotes
Mackenzie H.
I've lived in Highland for about 8 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I have mixed feelings honestly. When I first moved here from Houston, I was surprised by cultural scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good schools in most areas
- Strong job market in several industries
- The community vibe scene is improving
The downsides:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Dating scene is rough
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for retirees. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
17 upvotes
Eliana Gray
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem improving.
I've been here 12 years and it's improved dramatically in recent years. The thing nobody mentions is pet-friendliness. It's stable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cultural scene is legit. And if you're into biking, this place is excellent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Oak Park side vs the Springfield side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
16 upvotes
Declan
The food scene here is tough. Tons of great Asian places. it was the best decision I ever made.
12 upvotes
Nevaeh Walker
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's not perfect but it works for me. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
12 upvotes
Piper
I've been living here for 10 years and I'd say the quality of life is solid. The housing market is tough compared to other places I've lived. Overall Feel free to reach out with questions..
12 upvotes
Henry Hernandez
I'm a accountant and I've found I'm still on the fence after all this time. The community is excellent and there's always something going on.
10 upvotes
Mackenzie Castillo
Moved here from Minneapolis about 3 years ago. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Still getting used to healthcare but Happy to answer more specific questions..
8 upvotes
Amelia Ruiz
hmm interesting perspective
7 upvotes
Eva Evans
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want job market, then yeah this place is great. But if housing market matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
6 upvotes
Kennedy
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want school system, then yeah this place is great. But if community vibe matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
3 upvotes
Parker Hughes
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a electrician, 30, moved here 10 years ago from Houston. I've lived in Greenfield and Fairview, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Close to major attractions
2. Good airport with direct flights
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
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. Limited high-paying job options
3. The cultural scene situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Greenfield: Great for young professionals. underrated vibes, walkable.
- Fairview: 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 Houston, everything felt hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $60K-$80K here.
**Final verdict:**
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. 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.
2 upvotes
Christian Mendoza
I've been living here for 12 years and I'd say it was the best decision I ever made. The safety is solid compared to other places I've lived. Overall Good luck with whatever you decide..
1 upvotes
Mary R.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Midtown for 1 years. Moved from Phoenix for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is average. We bought in 2023 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
engineering is strong here. marketing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are developing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's exactly what I was looking for. The outdoor scene is solid - we have national forests within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Midtown schools are pretty good. 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. Property taxes are high. Limited shopping options. And public transit can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 8/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
0 upvotes
Jameson C.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Internet is average in most areas.
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