I'm single, late 50s, and Household incomes average around $94,303 in Des Plaines. The median home value here is around $318,200, which seems about average. The city has invested a lot in new development. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Thoughts? Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The suburbs are where most families end up.
20 upvotes
3 Replies
Santiago Turner
Hot take but it's been a really good experience overall. I know a lot of people disagree but after 3 years here, that's my honest assessment.
38 upvotes
Axel Cox
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 nightlife is genuinely underrated and I've found there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. My neighborhood (Pine Hills) is growing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Houston, be prepared for the culture shock. community vibe is completely different here. And Traffic during rush hour is rough.
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.