Hello, I'm single, late 50s, and The median home value here is around $318,200, which seems about average. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Is this normal for Des Plaines? The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look.
5 upvotes
29 Replies
Victoria
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are better than expected, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
38 upvotes
Kai Mitchell
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Internet is hit or miss in most areas.
37 upvotes
proud_josiah24
it depends on the neighborhood
36 upvotes
Vivian A.
yep
32 upvotes
Henry Smith
100%
31 upvotes
Everett R.
100%
29 upvotes
Sophie Harris
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want dating scene, then yeah this place is great. But if community vibe matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
27 upvotes
Denise B.
Public transit is average here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it exceeded my expectations.
26 upvotes
Caroline
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want pet-friendliness, then yeah this place is great. But if safety matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
26 upvotes
Arianna Thompson
Used to live on the Westside side, now on the Meadowbrook side. Completely different vibe. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
26 upvotes
Nicholas A.
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 4-bedroom. it exceeded my expectations. Compared to Nashville it's average.
26 upvotes
Hunter Taylor
noted, appreciate it
25 upvotes
Daniel R.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem surprisingly good.
I've been here 12 years and it exceeded my expectations. The thing nobody mentions is public transit. It's affordable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the healthcare is legit. And if you're into golfing, this place is tough.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Pine Hills side vs the Riverside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
24 upvotes
Gianna Carter
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 8 years ago from Seattle and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Downtown. It's excellent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in engineering. If you're in construction you might struggle.
People: Generally solid. It took about 14 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: improving. Tons of options if you like Mexican.
No regrets on my end..
22 upvotes
David Allen
I've lived in Uptown for about 15 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's exactly what I was looking for. When I first moved here from Portland, I was surprised by traffic. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- The nightlife scene is better than expected
The downsides:
- Property taxes are high
- Far from beaches/mountains
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for remote workers. Happy to answer more specific questions..
22 upvotes
Joseph White
couldn't agree more
21 upvotes
Cooper
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are hit or miss, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
17 upvotes
Brooks Y.
as a local I can confirm
14 upvotes
miami_jayden
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in The Heights for 7 years. Moved from San Francisco for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is surprisingly good. We bought in 2019 at k and it's now worth about the same 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:**
marketing is strong here. government is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are competitive for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The outdoor scene is excellent - we have hiking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. The Heights 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. Traffic during rush hour is rough. Bugs and humidity in summer. And school system can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 6/10. Hope this helps!. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
13 upvotes
Clara Gonzalez
yep
13 upvotes
phoenix_christian
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a pharmacist, 35, moved here 2 years ago from Baltimore. I've lived in Downtown and East, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Active local events and festivals
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not very walkable outside downtown
2. Can feel isolated
3. The food scene situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Downtown: Great for young professionals. improving vibes, walkable.
- East: 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 Baltimore, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $70K-$100K here.
**Final verdict:**
Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. 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.
12 upvotes
Joseph Howard
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value walkability, you'll love it. The cost of living is genuinely pretty good and I've found the quality of life is solid. My neighborhood (Fairview) is pricey and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Boston, be prepared for the culture shock. school system is completely different here. And Rising rent and home prices.
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.
10 upvotes
Cora Long
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I have mixed feelings honestly. Internet is solid in most areas.
8 upvotes
tampapapa2026
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a nurse who relocated here from Dallas about 4 years ago. The main reasons were family and work.
Pros I've experienced:
- Close to major attractions
- Affordable housing options
- Diverse dining options
Cons that are real:
- Road conditions need improvement
- Limited shopping options
Financially, we've found it solid compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are pricey, gas is better than expected.
Socially, it exceeded my expectations. Hope this helps!.
7 upvotes
Connor James
I've lived in Westside for about 2 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. When I first moved here from Austin, I was surprised by walkability. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Decent public transit for the size
- The dating scene scene is better than expected
The downsides:
- Property taxes are high
- Far from beaches/mountains
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for remote workers. No regrets on my end..
6 upvotes
Jordan J.
I'm a teacher and I've found the quality of life is solid. The community is tough and there's always something going on.
6 upvotes
charlottelover2025
100%
6 upvotes
Madeline Torres
big facts right here
1 upvotes
Jonathan Ramos
I've been living here for 15 years and I'd say I'm still on the fence after all this time. The food scene is challenging compared to other places I've lived. Overall Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
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