Hey folks, Military spouse here. Homes are going for about $186,600 on average. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Thanks! It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look.
6 upvotes
21 Replies
Audrey Price
hmm interesting perspective
39 upvotes
Mia Wright
Used to live on the Greenfield side, now on the Uptown side. Completely different vibe. it's not perfect but it works for me.
36 upvotes
Gianna D.
following this thread
35 upvotes
Gloria P.
underrated comment
34 upvotes
Skylar Scott
hard disagree but ok
30 upvotes
Theodore R.
We moved here with our family and I have mixed feelings honestly. Schools in Eastside area are average. Kids love it here.
30 upvotes
Landon
I'm a project manager and I've found I'm still on the fence after all this time. The community is surprisingly good and there's always something going on.
28 upvotes
Waylon
Hot take but it exceeded my expectations. I know a lot of people disagree but after 14 years here, that's my honest assessment.
28 upvotes
Cameron Hernandez
yeah no that's not right
28 upvotes
Kathryn J.
The food scene here is hit or miss. Tons of great craft beer places. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
27 upvotes
Arianna Garcia
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem improving.
I've been here 9 years and it's exactly what I was looking for. The thing nobody mentions is traffic. It's established and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the community vibe is legit. And if you're into kayaking, this place is excellent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The West side vs the Fairview side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
No regrets on my end..
24 upvotes
Hannah R.
noted, appreciate it
24 upvotes
roman_lover
Moved here from Raleigh about 11 years ago. I genuinely enjoy living here. Still getting used to housing market but No regrets on my end..
23 upvotes
real_addison17
I've lived in Downtown for about 1 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 Phoenix, I was surprised by weather. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- The housing market scene is challenging
The downsides:
- Winters are long and cold
- Property taxes are high
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for singles. Feel free to reach out with questions..
22 upvotes
Cooper
Used to live on the Riverside side, now on the Oak Park side. Completely different vibe. I love the pace of life here.
21 upvotes
Kayla S.
interesting, hadn't considered that
21 upvotes
Sarah H.
Public transit is tough here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's improved dramatically in recent years.
17 upvotes
Jace M.
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are challenging, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
14 upvotes
Samuel Y.
hard disagree but ok
9 upvotes
Kayla M.
I've lived in Midtown for about 11 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 Pittsburgh, I was surprised by outdoor recreation. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Active local events and festivals
- Close to major attractions
- The traffic scene is pretty good
The downsides:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for young professionals. Happy to answer more specific questions..
5 upvotes
zoe_girl
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value job market, you'll love it. The community vibe is genuinely hit or miss and I've found it's not perfect but it works for me. My neighborhood (Springfield) is established and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Miami, be prepared for the culture shock. healthcare is completely different here. And Chain restaurants dominate.
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.
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