I'm a college student here and With a population of 49,867, Downers Grove is a smaller city. Crime rate is something to consider -Downers Grove sits at 93.0 per 100K. The weather takes some getting used to. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Property taxes are high but you get good services.
23 upvotes
3 Replies
Kennedy Parker
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Eastside for 14 years. Moved from Seattle for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is pretty good. We bought in 2017 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
finance is strong here. hospitality 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 exactly what I was looking for. 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. Eastside schools are hit or miss. 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. Property taxes are high. And food scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 8/10. Would recommend to anyone considering it.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
31 upvotes
Lydia Allen
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem excellent.
I've been here 5 years and I love the pace of life here. The thing nobody mentions is cost of living. It's developing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the public transit is legit. And if you're into golfing, this place is excellent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Springfield side vs the Downtown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
28 upvotes
Scarlett Alvarez
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 6 years ago from Austin and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in South. It's improving for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in real estate. If you're in consulting you might struggle.
People: Generally challenging. It took about 14 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: underrated. Tons of options if you like BBQ.
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