My partner and I are You can expect to pay around $1,455 for rent here. With a population of 11,140, Elwood is a small town. Average temperature is around 53--F, so expect cold winters. The unemployment rate is 1.2%, which is pretty low. Crime rate is something to consider -Elwood sits at 22.0 per 100K. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Has anyone dealt with this? Looking forward to hearing from you all. The city has invested a lot in new development. The city has invested a lot in new development. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The weather takes some getting used to. The weather takes some getting used to. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. The suburbs are where most families end up. The suburbs are where most families end up. The city has invested a lot in new development. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. The suburbs are where most families end up.
8 upvotes
8 Replies
Caleb Perez
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a pharmacist, 50, moved here 3 years ago from Chicago. I've lived in Westside and Meadowbrook, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Nice parks and green spaces
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally hit or miss - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Limited high-paying job options
3. The job market situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Westside: Great for families. pretty good vibes, walkable.
- Meadowbrook: 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 Chicago, everything felt decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $90K-$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.
35 upvotes
Gianna W.
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is community vibe. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Worth doing your research before committing.
32 upvotes
Landon Cox
As someone who grew up here, I have mixed feelings honestly. A lot has changed in the past few years though. cost of living used to be much wild but now it's average.
24 upvotes
Nathan Morales
underrated comment
21 upvotes
olivia_papa
Hot take but it exceeded my expectations. I know a lot of people disagree but after 1 years here, that's my honest assessment.
17 upvotes
William A.
I work in finance here and it's exactly what I was looking for. The job market for my field is improving. Feel free to reach out with questions..
15 upvotes
Jack Roberts
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 9 years ago from Atlanta and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in The Heights. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in hospitality. If you're in retail you might struggle.
People: Generally challenging. It took about 18 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: challenging. Tons of options if you like Thai.
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