First post here. I'm a teacher here and The median home value here is around $112,800, which is actually reasonable. The unemployment rate is 2.0%, which is pretty low. Average temperature is around 62--F, so the weather is moderate. Rent is about $596/month for a decent place. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The suburbs are where most families end up. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Am I overthinking this? Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The city has invested a lot in new development. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The suburbs are where most families end up. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. The city has invested a lot in new development. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood.
7 upvotes
11 Replies
Eva Ross
I work in real estate here and I genuinely enjoy living here. The job market for my field is decent. Feel free to reach out with questions..
38 upvotes
Nathan Martin
exactly what I was thinking
36 upvotes
Brooklyn A.
Hot take but it was the best decision I ever made. I know a lot of people disagree but after 6 years here, that's my honest assessment.
35 upvotes
Madelyn King
Public transit is excellent here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I'm still on the fence after all this time.
34 upvotes
nyc_mia
big facts right here
33 upvotes
Thomas Gutierrez
thanks for sharing
21 upvotes
Everly Jackson
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 1 years ago from Chicago and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Maple Ridge. It's surprisingly good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is reasonable right now, especially in hospitality. If you're in tech you might struggle.
People: Generally hit or miss. It took about 12 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: better than expected. Tons of options if you like Italian.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
17 upvotes
chicagopapa2023
preach
15 upvotes
Ian Clark
good to know, thanks
5 upvotes
Joseph Sanchez
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem pretty good.
I've been here 10 years and it was the best decision I ever made. The thing nobody mentions is outdoor recreation. It's developing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the pet-friendliness is legit. And if you're into biking, this place is solid.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Greenfield side vs the Oak Park side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
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