Just moved here 4 months ago and It's a a small town city with about 10,002 people. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Thanks! Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level.
8 upvotes
11 Replies
Henry
I've lived in Old Town for about 15 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
the quality of life is solid. When I first moved here from Dallas, I was surprised by dating scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Decent public transit for the size
- Affordable housing options
- The healthcare scene is solid
The downsides:
- Limited public transit options
- Urban sprawl is real
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for couples. Feel free to reach out with questions..
39 upvotes
urban_emily61
exactly what I was thinking
38 upvotes
Andrew K.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 13 years ago from Pittsburgh and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Oak Park. It's better than expected for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in education. If you're in consulting you might struggle.
People: Generally challenging. It took about 18 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: solid. Tons of options if you like seafood.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
31 upvotes
Jerry G.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 9 years ago from Nashville and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Fairview. It's underrated for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in finance. If you're in hospitality you might struggle.
People: Generally average. It took about 14 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: underrated. Tons of options if you like farm-to-table.
Hope this helps!.
27 upvotes
Joseph S.
seconding this
24 upvotes
Gianna
Public transit is average here. You'll probably need a car for most things. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
16 upvotes
Ruth R.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem decent.
I've been here 4 years and it's not perfect but it works for me. The thing nobody mentions is outdoor recreation. It's manageable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the pet-friendliness is legit. And if you're into running, this place is surprisingly good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The West side vs the Old Town side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
10 upvotes
Timothy L.
I work in consulting here and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The job market for my field is excellent. Definitely worth checking out..
9 upvotes
Chloe B.
My experience has been mostly positive. it's exactly what I was looking for. The only thing I'd watch out for is pet-friendliness. Other than that, It's not for everyone but it works for us..
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