Anyone else feel this way? I work in automotive and The city has invested a lot in new development. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly.
14 upvotes
11 Replies
Madelyn Richardson
The food scene here is better than expected. Tons of great Indian places. I'm still on the fence after all this time.
36 upvotes
indy_mason
literally same
36 upvotes
Ellie Phillips
The food scene here is solid. Tons of great Italian places. it's not perfect but it works for me.
35 upvotes
Ezra W.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Eastside for 4 years. Moved from Miami for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is better than expected. We bought in 2020 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
engineering is strong here. legal is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are competitive for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's exactly what I was looking for. The outdoor scene is tough - we have ski resorts within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Eastside 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. Dating scene is rough. Far from beaches/mountains. And food scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 7/10. Would recommend to anyone considering it.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
24 upvotes
tulsadude2026
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is dating scene. it was the best decision I ever made. Worth doing your research before committing.
19 upvotes
Greyson Diaz
I work in construction here and the quality of life is solid. The job market for my field is average. Good luck with whatever you decide..
19 upvotes
Santiago Rivera
this is the way
18 upvotes
Aaron
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 9 years ago from San Francisco and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Oak Park. It's better than expected for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in marketing. If you're in tech you might struggle.
People: Generally challenging. It took about 3 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: tough. Tons of options if you like Mediterranean.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
16 upvotes
vegas_ethan
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a writer, 24, moved here 11 years ago from Boston. I've lived in Springfield and Meadowbrook, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Good schools in most areas
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not a lot of cultural diversity
2. Chain restaurants dominate
3. The cost of living situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Springfield: Great for young professionals. tough 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 Boston, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $80K-$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.
9 upvotes
William Ramirez
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is food scene. I genuinely enjoy living here. Worth doing your research before committing.
8 upvotes
Ariana Watson
I work in retail here and it's exactly what I was looking for. The job market for my field is average. Good luck with whatever you decide..
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