The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The suburbs are where most families end up. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much.
23 upvotes
8 Replies
Patricia Y.
Public transit is decent here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's been a really good experience overall.
28 upvotes
Leah Morris
Moved here from Boston about 7 years ago. it exceeded my expectations. Still getting used to dating scene but Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
23 upvotes
Aubrey
thanks for sharing
22 upvotes
true_william66
Weather-wise, the summers are hit or miss and winters are reasonable. You get used to it after the first year.
17 upvotes
Ruby Richardson
great question, following
15 upvotes
Joseph Ramirez
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want food scene, then yeah this place is great. But if food scene matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
14 upvotes
Kayden Gomez
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a sales manager, 52, moved here 10 years ago from Seattle. I've lived in Oak Park and Pine Hills, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Four distinct seasons
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Homeless population growing downtown
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The pet-friendliness situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Oak Park: Great for retirees. tough vibes, walkable.
- Pine Hills: 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 Seattle, everything felt tough. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $100K-$140K here.
**Final verdict:**
No regrets on my end.. 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.
6 upvotes
Jaxon G.
Hot take but there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. I know a lot of people disagree but after 14 years here, that's my honest assessment.
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