Longtime lurker here, Poverty rate is 11.2%, which is around average. The unemployment rate is 3.8%, which is pretty low. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. The weather takes some getting used to.
18 upvotes
18 Replies
raleigh_ruby
seconding this
40 upvotes
Everly C.
yep
34 upvotes
Lydia G.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want food scene, then yeah this place is great. But if school system matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
29 upvotes
Aaliyah Reyes
Hot take but I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. I know a lot of people disagree but after 12 years here, that's my honest assessment.
27 upvotes
Leah Lee
Can confirm, been here 13 years.
27 upvotes
Gabriel Taylor
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem excellent.
I've been here 9 years and it's improved dramatically in recent years. The thing nobody mentions is community vibe. It's growing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the job market is legit. And if you're into photography, this place is average.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Greenfield side vs the Downtown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
19 upvotes
Hunter
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are decent, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
15 upvotes
Avery James
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem average.
I've been here 9 years and it's not perfect but it works for me. The thing nobody mentions is outdoor recreation. It's reasonable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the community vibe is legit. And if you're into mountain biking, this place is challenging.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Midtown side vs the Uptown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
13 upvotes
Madeline Mitchell
great question, following
12 upvotes
Greyson M.
Used to live on the Oak Park side, now on the Meadowbrook side. Completely different vibe. I love the pace of life here.
9 upvotes
Victoria R.
bump
8 upvotes
Allison
nah I disagree
7 upvotes
Isabella Collins
it depends on the neighborhood
6 upvotes
Cora Garcia
I'm a pharmacist and I've found it's improved dramatically in recent years. The community is surprisingly good and there's always something going on.
4 upvotes
Madeline Myers
couldn't agree more
4 upvotes
Grace Howard
I'm a software engineer and I've found I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The community is challenging and there's always something going on.
3 upvotes
portland_nolan
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a writer who relocated here from LA about 8 years ago. The main reasons were quality of life and weather.
Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
Cons that are real:
- Can feel isolated
- Dating scene is rough
Financially, we've found it hit or miss compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are stable, gas is underrated.
Socially, I love the pace of life here. Hope this helps!.
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