Best industries in Essex right now

Kennedy C. Dec 30, 2025

Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it exceeded my expectations. Happy to answer more specific questions..

34 upvotes

Jacob Lewis Dec 22, 2025

Can confirm, been here 4 years.

29 upvotes

Thomas Carter Dec 13, 2025

OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.

Background: I'm a teacher, 32, moved here 10 years ago from LA. I've lived in West and Oak Park, and traveled to most parts of the metro.

**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year

**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Nightlife is limited
3. The dating scene situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving

**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- West: Great for remote workers. improving vibes, walkable.
- Oak Park: 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 LA, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $60K-$150K here.

**Final verdict:**
Feel free to reach out with questions.. 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.

8 upvotes