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Xavier Martinez best-worst

What surprised you most about Des Plaines?

Hello, Average temperature is around 51--F, so expect cold winters. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Looking forward to hearing from you all.
26 upvotes

24 Replies

Leo Wilson
Used to live on the Meadowbrook side, now on the The Heights side. Completely different vibe. I'm still on the fence after all this time.
40 upvotes
Rylee Wright
wish I knew this sooner
40 upvotes
Nova
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want pet-friendliness, then yeah this place is great. But if healthcare matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
39 upvotes
Ryan H.
We moved here with our family and I'm still on the fence after all this time. Schools in Old Town area are tough. Kids love it here.
38 upvotes
Nova E.
underrated comment
35 upvotes
Ellie Howard
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 3-bedroom. it's been a really good experience overall. Compared to Nashville it's challenging.
33 upvotes
Clara Hall
interesting, hadn't considered that
32 upvotes
Jameson Reed
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem challenging.

I've been here 8 years and it's been a really good experience overall. The thing nobody mentions is walkability. It's affordable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.

That said, the pet-friendliness is legit. And if you're into rock climbing, this place is pretty good.

Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Midtown side vs the East side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.

Good luck with whatever you decide..
31 upvotes
Austin Gonzalez
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is school system. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Worth doing your research before committing.
30 upvotes
minneapoliswalker2023
Hot take but the quality of life is solid. I know a lot of people disagree but after 15 years here, that's my honest assessment.
23 upvotes
Miles Wilson
This.
22 upvotes
Violet Brooks
literally same
19 upvotes
Maverick Watson
Bought a house here in 2023 and it's exactly what I was looking for. Property values have gone about the same since then.
17 upvotes
Emilia Parker
The food scene here is underrated. Tons of great Korean places. I'm still on the fence after all this time.
17 upvotes
John Morris
I've lived in South for about 3 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.

there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. When I first moved here from Dallas, I was surprised by cultural scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.

A few things worth knowing:
- Good healthcare facilities
- Strong job market in several industries
- The school system scene is challenging

The downsides:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Property taxes are high

Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for singles. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
14 upvotes
Noah Phillips
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 5 years ago from Pittsburgh and here's my honest breakdown:

Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Downtown. It's hit or miss for what you get.

Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in education. If you're in finance you might struggle.

People: Generally excellent. It took about 12 months to build a solid friend group.

Food: tough. Tons of options if you like BBQ.

Would recommend to anyone considering it..
13 upvotes
Mia Thompson
preach
13 upvotes
Sophie Castillo
I've lived in Highland for about 9 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.

the quality of life is solid. When I first moved here from Miami, I was surprised by community vibe. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.

A few things worth knowing:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Active local events and festivals
- The healthcare scene is decent

The downsides:
- Property taxes are high
- Not a lot of cultural diversity

Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for families. Good luck with whatever you decide..
13 upvotes
Aubrey Carter
The food scene here is solid. Tons of great BBQ places. it exceeded my expectations.
11 upvotes
Hazel F.
As someone who grew up here, I love the pace of life here. A lot has changed in the past few years though. food scene used to be much growing but now it's improving.
10 upvotes
Allison H.
I've been living here for 11 years and I'd say it was the best decision I ever made. The nightlife is hit or miss compared to other places I've lived. Overall Feel free to reach out with questions..
7 upvotes
Maya
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 8 years. Moved from Charlotte for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:

**Housing:**
The market right now is improving. We bought in 2016 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. Lots of new construction which should help.

**Employment:**
consulting is strong here. government is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are growing for the area.

**Quality of Life:**
it's not perfect but it works for me. The outdoor scene is challenging - we have mountains 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. Nightlife is limited. Limited entertainment options. And outdoor recreation can be frustrating.

**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 8/10. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
5 upvotes
Nora Long
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem average.

I've been here 11 years and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The thing nobody mentions is public transit. It's reasonable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.

That said, the community vibe is legit. And if you're into rock climbing, this place is challenging.

Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Highland side vs the Fairview side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.

It's not for everyone but it works for us..
5 upvotes
Christian Gray
honestly same experience here
2 upvotes
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