Hi all, I relocated for work and You can expect to pay around $1,143 for rent here. Crime rate is something to consider -Dunlap sits at 1,257.6 per 100K. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The suburbs are where most families end up. Worth the trade-offs? Appreciate any input. The weather takes some getting used to. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The food scene here is surprisingly good. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Property taxes are high but you get good services.
11 upvotes
13 Replies
Maya E.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem improving.
I've been here 12 years and it's been a really good experience overall. The thing nobody mentions is dating scene. It's growing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the housing market is legit. And if you're into skiing, this place is underrated.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Downtown side vs the Oak Park side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
40 upvotes
Parker T.
My experience has been mostly positive. the quality of life is solid. The only thing I'd watch out for is outdoor recreation. Other than that, No regrets on my end..
38 upvotes
Madelyn Watson
as a local I can confirm
38 upvotes
Kevin S.
Bought a house here in 2021 and it exceeded my expectations. Property values have gone about the same since then.
34 upvotes
Jace Sanchez
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a physical therapist who relocated here from Miami about 9 years ago. The main reasons were weather and family.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good schools in most areas
- Close to major attractions
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Can feel isolated
Financially, we've found it challenging compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are pricey, gas is excellent.
Socially, the quality of life is solid. Hope this helps!.
28 upvotes
Ruby Davis
couldn't agree more
23 upvotes
Elijah Myers
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a lawyer, 38, moved here 12 years ago from Baltimore. I've lived in Springfield and South, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Nice parks and green spaces
2. Close to major attractions
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited high-paying job options
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The pet-friendliness situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Springfield: Great for remote workers. excellent vibes, walkable.
- South: 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 Baltimore, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $80K-$130K here.
**Final verdict:**
Good luck with whatever you decide.. 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
Kinsley Reed
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a real estate agent, 48, moved here 7 years ago from Dallas. I've lived in Cedar Grove and Lakewood, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Strong job market in several industries
2. Strong sense of community
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Nightlife is limited
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The food scene situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Cedar Grove: Great for remote workers. surprisingly good vibes, walkable.
- Lakewood: 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 Dallas, everything felt better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $40K-$80K 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.
16 upvotes
Gloria P.
Hot take but the quality of life is solid. I know a lot of people disagree but after 8 years here, that's my honest assessment.
15 upvotes
Silas Sanchez
haha yep pretty much
13 upvotes
Harper Smith
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 8 years ago from Houston 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 Greenfield. It's underrated for what you get.
Jobs: The market is manageable right now, especially in retail. If you're in tech you might struggle.
People: Generally excellent. It took about 15 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: tough. Tons of options if you like Southern.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
8 upvotes
Ian Bennett
hmm interesting perspective
6 upvotes
Amelia L.
Public transit is decent here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now.
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