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Ella G. living

Evanston quality of life -am I missing something?

Hi all, Poverty rate is 2.5%, which is pretty low. With a population of 11,803, Evanston is a small town. The unemployment rate is 2.9%, which is pretty low. The weather takes some getting used to. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Should I be concerned? Any help is appreciated. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The city has invested a lot in new development. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The city has invested a lot in new development. The city has invested a lot in new development. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level.
9 upvotes

2 Replies

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

Background: I'm a sales manager, 34, moved here 4 years ago from Minneapolis. I've lived in Cedar Grove and Uptown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.

**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Active local events and festivals
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year

**What I don't love:**
1. Urban sprawl is real
2. Limited shopping options
3. The cost of living situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving

**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Cedar Grove: Great for retirees. underrated vibes, walkable.
- Uptown: 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 Minneapolis, everything felt challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $50K-$120K here.

**Final verdict:**
Happy to answer more specific 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.
30 upvotes
Brenda M.
honestly same experience here
8 upvotes
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