First post here. I'm a nurse at the local hospital and Crime rate is something to consider -Durand sits at 156.9 per 100K. The unemployment rate is 2.1%, which is pretty low. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Would love some local perspective. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods.
2 upvotes
15 Replies
Caleb Baker
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's improved dramatically in recent years. Feel free to reach out with questions..
38 upvotes
Cora Turner
I'm a marketing manager and I've found it was the best decision I ever made. The community is challenging and there's always something going on.
37 upvotes
Nicole R.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a sales manager, 50, moved here 8 years ago from Nashville. I've lived in Meadowbrook and The Heights, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good internet infrastructure
2. Active local events and festivals
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally solid - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Can feel isolated
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The dating scene situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Meadowbrook: Great for retirees. challenging vibes, walkable.
- The Heights: 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 Nashville, everything felt underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $80K-$90K 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.
35 upvotes
Lucas
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value job market, you'll love it. The healthcare is genuinely pretty good and I've found it's exactly what I was looking for. My neighborhood (Midtown) is stable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Miami, be prepared for the culture shock. traffic is completely different here. And Limited shopping options.
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.
34 upvotes
Brielle Davis
as a local I can confirm
34 upvotes
Mason Sanders
Used to live on the West side, now on the Oak Park side. Completely different vibe. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
34 upvotes
Victoria Cruz
My experience has been mostly positive. it's improved dramatically in recent years. The only thing I'd watch out for is nightlife. Other than that, Would recommend to anyone considering it..
31 upvotes
Ezra Ramirez
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Old Town for 14 years. Moved from Tampa for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is average. We bought in 2019 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
legal is strong here. engineering 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:**
I'm still on the fence after all this time. The outdoor scene is decent - we have ski resorts within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Old Town schools are underrated. 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. Urban sprawl is real. Road conditions need improvement. And safety can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 6/10. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
25 upvotes
Randy C.
accurate
22 upvotes
Joshua Morris
Hot take but I have mixed feelings honestly. I know a lot of people disagree but after 14 years here, that's my honest assessment.
21 upvotes
Nova Wood
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: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Riverside. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in legal. If you're in consulting you might struggle.
People: Generally hit or miss. It took about 3 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: improving. Tons of options if you like seafood.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
14 upvotes
Kennedy H.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 1 years ago from San Francisco and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Meadowbrook. It's excellent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in consulting. If you're in retail you might struggle.
People: Generally excellent. It took about 9 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: underrated. Tons of options if you like Thai.
No regrets on my end..
13 upvotes
Gianna K.
Can confirm, been here 13 years.
10 upvotes
Adrian L.
The food scene here is better than expected. Tons of great Asian places. it exceeded my expectations.
8 upvotes
Jayden E.
I've been living here for 4 years and I'd say it exceeded my expectations. The cost of living is pretty good compared to other places I've lived. Overall Would recommend to anyone considering it..
All Countries
