I'm a remote worker and The unemployment rate is 3.9%, which is pretty low. It's a a small town city with about 22,034 people. Poverty rate is 11.0%, which is around average. The median home value here is around $182,500, which is actually reasonable. Median household income is $55,988, which feels about average for the area. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The city has invested a lot in new development. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The suburbs are where most families end up. Am I overthinking this? It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The food scene here is surprisingly good. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The city has invested a lot in new development. The city has invested a lot in new development. The weather takes some getting used to. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that.
2 upvotes
11 Replies
Willow Martinez
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a project manager, 53, moved here 7 years ago from Dallas. I've lived in Oak Park and East, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Road conditions need improvement
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The weather situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Oak Park: Great for young professionals. improving vibes, walkable.
- East: 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 challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $80K-$130K here.
**Final verdict:**
Hope this helps!. 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.
40 upvotes
Elijah W.
My experience has been mostly positive. I have mixed feelings honestly. The only thing I'd watch out for is safety. Other than that, Good luck with whatever you decide..
39 upvotes
Allison Chavez
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are surprisingly good, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
36 upvotes
Weston Bennett
spot on
34 upvotes
Connor D.
We moved here with our family and the quality of life is solid. Schools in Cedar Grove area are decent. Kids love it here.
30 upvotes
Leo Thomas
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 3-bedroom. it's exactly what I was looking for. Compared to Baltimore it's decent.
27 upvotes
Allison Lee
Weather-wise, the summers are hit or miss and winters are stable. You get used to it after the first year.
26 upvotes
Jesse G.
As someone who grew up here, I have mixed feelings honestly. A lot has changed in the past few years though. traffic used to be much growing but now it's challenging.
21 upvotes
aaliyah_life
hmm interesting perspective
5 upvotes
Quinn Ross
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Downtown for 13 years. Moved from Portland for family. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is underrated. We bought in 2019 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
retail is strong here. legal is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are affordable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The outdoor scene is pretty good - we have mountains within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Downtown schools are better than expected. 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. Limited high-paying job options. Property taxes are high. And traffic can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 7/10. It's not for everyone but it works for us.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
3 upvotes
Robert K.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a social worker, 26, moved here 4 years ago from San Francisco. I've lived in Eastside and Maple Ridge, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Lots of new development happening
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Urban sprawl is real
3. The traffic situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Eastside: Great for couples. challenging vibes, walkable.
- Maple Ridge: 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 San Francisco, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $50K-$110K 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.
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