Curious what people think. I'm a remote worker and The unemployment rate is 2.2%, which is pretty low. The median home value here is around $514,600, which is pretty steep. Rent is about $2,510/month for a decent place. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The suburbs are where most families end up. The weather takes some getting used to.
Pros:
- Low taxes
- Easy commute
- Strong sense of community
- Active local events
Cons:
- Sprawl everywhere
- Not very walkable
- Boring for young people
Thanks! Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The city has invested a lot in new development. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The suburbs are where most families end up. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The weather takes some getting used to. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. It's not perfect, but the community is solid.
12 upvotes
27 Replies
Emmett Mitchell
Moved here from Portland about 11 years ago. it's exactly what I was looking for. Still getting used to traffic but Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
40 upvotes
boston_owen
I've lived in Uptown for about 11 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it was the best decision I ever made. When I first moved here from Portland, I was surprised by cost of living. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- The outdoor recreation scene is tough
The downsides:
- Chain restaurants dominate
- Can feel isolated
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for families. Feel free to reach out with questions..
38 upvotes
Hailey B.
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I love the pace of life here. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
33 upvotes
Skylar Williams
nah I disagree
31 upvotes
Sophia M.
honestly same experience here
30 upvotes
Cameron A.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Sunset for 5 years. Moved from Miami for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is better than expected. 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. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
healthcare is strong here. legal is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are affordable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The outdoor scene is average - we have lakes within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Sunset schools are improving. 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. Chain restaurants dominate. And cultural scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 9/10. Definitely worth checking out.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
27 upvotes
Eva Diaz
Hot take but I genuinely enjoy living here. I know a lot of people disagree but after 8 years here, that's my honest assessment.
26 upvotes
Peyton J.
I've lived in North for about 5 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 San Diego, I was surprised by job market. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good internet infrastructure
- Affordable housing options
- The healthcare scene is surprisingly good
The downsides:
- Winters are long and cold
- Road conditions need improvement
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for young professionals. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
24 upvotes
Mateo Perez
underrated comment
23 upvotes
Abigail W.
good to know, thanks
23 upvotes
lake_mason63
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a teacher, 41, moved here 10 years ago from Atlanta. I've lived in North and East, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Lots of new development happening
3. Four distinct seasons
4. The people are generally average - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Can feel isolated
3. The job market situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- North: Great for retirees. pretty good 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 Atlanta, everything felt excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $70K-$120K here.
**Final verdict:**
It's not for everyone but it works for us.. 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.
22 upvotes
Lydia S.
glad someone said it
20 upvotes
parker_vibes
Moved here from San Francisco about 13 years ago. it's been a really good experience overall. Still getting used to dating scene but Happy to answer more specific questions..
20 upvotes
indy_jayden
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 3 years ago from San Francisco and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Midtown. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in education. If you're in hospitality you might struggle.
People: Generally pretty good. It took about 12 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: underrated. Tons of options if you like BBQ.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
15 upvotes
Alexa Taylor
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value community vibe, you'll love it. The traffic is genuinely surprisingly good and I've found there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. My neighborhood (Springfield) is affordable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Portland, be prepared for the culture shock. outdoor recreation is completely different here. And Bugs and humidity in summer.
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.
12 upvotes
Landon Howard
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 2-bedroom. I genuinely enjoy living here. Compared to Dallas it's underrated.
12 upvotes
Easton Cook
I work in retail here and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The job market for my field is pretty good. No regrets on my end..
10 upvotes
Leonardo Jones
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Oak Park for 13 years. Moved from New York for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is tough. We bought in 2016 at k and it's now worth up a bit 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. manufacturing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are pricey for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The outdoor scene is underrated - we have state parks within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Oak Park schools are improving. 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. Limited high-paying job options. Chain restaurants dominate. And school system can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 5/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
8 upvotes
Eliana Chavez
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are improving, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
7 upvotes
Aurora G.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 8 years ago from Tampa and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Highland. It's pretty good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in government. If you're in marketing you might struggle.
People: Generally average. It took about 9 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: decent. Tons of options if you like Mediterranean.
Hope this helps!.
6 upvotes
adrian_papa
Came here for a job opportunity and stayed because it exceeded my expectations. The pet-friendliness is honestly better than expected and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
6 upvotes
reagan_guy
bump
5 upvotes
stl_ethan
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a real estate agent who relocated here from Atlanta about 9 years ago. The main reasons were work and family.
Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Close to major attractions
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Winters are long and cold
- Limited high-paying job options
Financially, we've found it solid compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are reasonable, gas is tough.
Socially, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
5 upvotes
Camila Gonzalez
thanks for sharing
4 upvotes
Wesley S.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a real estate agent who relocated here from Tampa about 12 years ago. The main reasons were retirement and weather.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Good internet infrastructure
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Limited high-paying job options
- Road conditions need improvement
Financially, we've found it excellent compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are reasonable, gas is excellent.
Socially, it exceeded my expectations. Good luck with whatever you decide..
4 upvotes
clara_papa
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is school system. I genuinely enjoy living here. Worth doing your research before committing.
3 upvotes
Carson Gutierrez
I've been living here for 3 years and I'd say it's not perfect but it works for me. The public transit is better than expected compared to other places I've lived. Overall Definitely worth checking out..
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