Couple moving to Evanston from out of state

Stella Adams Apr 8, 2026

OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 4 years ago from Pittsburgh and here's my honest breakdown:

Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in South. It's excellent for what you get.

Jobs: The market is reasonable right now, especially in finance. If you're in consulting you might struggle.

People: Generally solid. It took about 17 months to build a solid friend group.

Food: underrated. Tons of options if you like Thai.

Definitely worth checking out..

37 upvotes

Wesley M. Apr 9, 2026

I've lived in Pine Hills for about 6 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.

it's not perfect but it works for me. When I first moved here from San Francisco, I was surprised by traffic. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.

A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- The job market scene is decent

The downsides:
- Dating scene is rough
- Homeless population growing downtown

Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for young professionals. Would recommend to anyone considering it..

25 upvotes

Camila Gomez Apr 8, 2026

From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are pretty good, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.

13 upvotes