Hey everyone, The unemployment rate is 1.4%, which is pretty low. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Am I overthinking this? It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. It's not perfect, but the community is solid.
12 upvotes
13 Replies
Grace Mendoza
The food scene here is decent. Tons of great Thai places. the quality of life is solid.
35 upvotes
Betty R.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's been a really good experience overall. Internet is tough in most areas.
31 upvotes
Lucas M.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a software engineer, 33, moved here 6 years ago from Minneapolis. I've lived in Oak Park and Midtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good healthcare facilities
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally hit or miss - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Homeless population growing downtown
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The cost of living situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Oak Park: Great for families. surprisingly good vibes, walkable.
- Midtown: 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 Minneapolis, everything felt challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $70K-$140K 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.
30 upvotes
Aria James
I'm a sales manager and I've found it's not perfect but it works for me. The community is hit or miss and there's always something going on.
27 upvotes
Ezra Adams
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is school system. the quality of life is solid. Worth doing your research before committing.
21 upvotes
William H.
Moved here last year, no regrets.
19 upvotes
Roman Kelly
I've lived in South for about 1 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's improved dramatically in recent years. When I first moved here from Denver, I was surprised by school system. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Nice parks and green spaces
- The public transit scene is better than expected
The downsides:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for couples. No regrets on my end..
18 upvotes
Evelyn
Came here for family and stayed because I love the pace of life here. The pet-friendliness is honestly average and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
18 upvotes
Connor Brooks
Hot take but it's been a really good experience overall. I know a lot of people disagree but after 12 years here, that's my honest assessment.
17 upvotes
Elena Price
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a real estate agent who relocated here from Tampa about 5 years ago. The main reasons were school and cost of living.
Pros I've experienced:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Good airport with direct flights
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Winters are long and cold
- Property taxes are high
Financially, we've found it excellent compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are wild, gas is better than expected.
Socially, it exceeded my expectations. Feel free to reach out with questions..
13 upvotes
Michelle Y.
Bought a house here in 2016 and the quality of life is solid. Property values have gone up significantly since then.
13 upvotes
omahamind2020
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 3-bedroom. I love the pace of life here. Compared to Denver it's decent.
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