Hey, I'm a 25-year-old social worker and The median home value here is around $532,800, which is pretty steep. Crime rate is something to consider -Elmhurst sits at 74.7 per 100K. It's a a smaller city city with about 45,538 people. Homes are going for about $532,800 on average. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting.
27 upvotes
5 Replies
William Collins
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a teacher, 25, moved here 6 years ago from Atlanta. I've lived in Meadowbrook and West, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Four distinct seasons
4. The people are generally better than expected - 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 dating scene situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Meadowbrook: Great for families. underrated vibes, walkable.
- West: 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 Atlanta, everything felt challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $40K-$80K here.
**Final verdict:**
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. 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.
38 upvotes
Lucas Wood
I work in consulting here and it exceeded my expectations. The job market for my field is solid. Hope this helps!.
38 upvotes
atl_kai
haha yep pretty much
32 upvotes
Caleb Roberts
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value job market, you'll love it. The traffic is genuinely surprisingly good and I've found I'm still on the fence after all this time. My neighborhood (North) is developing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Pittsburgh, be prepared for the culture shock. public transit is completely different here. And Nightlife is limited.
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.
20 upvotes
Eliana Gutierrez
I've lived in West for about 7 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's improved dramatically in recent years. When I first moved here from Boston, I was surprised by cultural scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Nice parks and green spaces
- The safety scene is pretty good
The downsides:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Can feel isolated
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for retirees. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
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