Hey folks, We're a young couple and The median home value here is around $484,000, which is pretty steep. You can expect to pay around $2,358 for rent here. Household incomes average around $101,540 in Doctor Phillips. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The suburbs are where most families end up. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. The city has invested a lot in new development. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look.
7 upvotes
11 Replies
Sophie Williams
Came here for work and stayed because it's exactly what I was looking for. The walkability is honestly challenging and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
40 upvotes
Scarlett Mitchell
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want safety, then yeah this place is great. But if cultural scene matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
37 upvotes
larider2021
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a physical therapist, 25, moved here 10 years ago from New York. I've lived in Westside and Sunset, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Active local events and festivals
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Nightlife is limited
2. Chain restaurants dominate
3. The community vibe situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Westside: Great for retirees. tough vibes, walkable.
- Sunset: 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 New York, everything felt hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $90K-$130K here.
**Final verdict:**
Feel free to reach out with questions.. 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.
36 upvotes
Alice C.
been saying this for years
36 upvotes
Alice Moore
been saying this for years
24 upvotes
Zoe P.
I've been living here for 14 years and I'd say there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The housing market is better than expected compared to other places I've lived. Overall Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
21 upvotes
Jameson
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem decent.
I've been here 7 years and it's not perfect but it works for me. The thing nobody mentions is cost of living. It's pricey and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the school system is legit. And if you're into fishing, this place is decent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Oak Park side vs the Midtown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
No regrets on my end..
16 upvotes
Gabriella Sanchez
I've been living here for 11 years and I'd say it's exactly what I was looking for. The housing market is underrated compared to other places I've lived. Overall Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
15 upvotes
Andrew Cooper
Came here for a fresh start and stayed because it was the best decision I ever made. The cultural scene is honestly solid and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
9 upvotes
Lisa S.
Bought a house here in 2022 and it exceeded my expectations. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
1 upvotes
Lucy Jones
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I'm still on the fence after all this time. No regrets on my end..