Longtime lurker here, I'm a remote worker and Rent is about $1,003/month for a decent place. It's a a smaller city city with about 97,227 people. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The suburbs are where most families end up. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. The weather takes some getting used to. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The suburbs are where most families end up. The weather takes some getting used to. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood.
26 upvotes
13 Replies
William Lewis
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is cultural scene. the quality of life is solid. Worth doing your research before committing.
40 upvotes
Lucas H.
I've been living here for 5 years and I'd say I love the pace of life here. The school system is excellent compared to other places I've lived. Overall Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
38 upvotes
Julia Scott
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a lawyer, 58, moved here 2 years ago from New York. I've lived in Downtown and West, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Good healthcare facilities
3. Good internet infrastructure
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not very walkable outside downtown
2. Can feel isolated
3. The cost of living situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Downtown: Great for families. solid vibes, walkable.
- West: 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 New York, everything felt hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $80K-$150K here.
**Final verdict:**
Hope this helps!. 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.
32 upvotes
Katherine B.
facts
28 upvotes
Nova Thompson
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 15 years ago from Raleigh and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Lakewood. It's surprisingly good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in consulting. If you're in tech you might struggle.
People: Generally decent. It took about 18 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like seafood.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
25 upvotes
Sadie W.
not my experience at all
20 upvotes
Joshua Scott
Came here for weather and stayed because it exceeded my expectations. The safety is honestly challenging and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
20 upvotes
Kinsley Sanders
Moved here from San Francisco about 11 years ago. I genuinely enjoy living here. Still getting used to community vibe but Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
14 upvotes
Sarah C.
Came here for weather and stayed because I genuinely enjoy living here. The traffic is honestly improving and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
13 upvotes
Logan Ruiz
Weather-wise, the summers are challenging and winters are developing. You get used to it after the first year.
12 upvotes
Ariana Edwards
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem surprisingly good.
I've been here 13 years and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The thing nobody mentions is outdoor recreation. It's reasonable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cultural scene is legit. And if you're into surfing, this place is average.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Uptown side vs the Oak Park side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
11 upvotes
Peyton Wilson
hard disagree but ok
7 upvotes
Genesis
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in East for 14 years. Moved from Houston for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is solid. We bought in 2023 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
marketing is strong here. retail is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are wild for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's not perfect but it works for me. The outdoor scene is underrated - we have hiking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. East schools are improving. 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. Limited public transit options. Bugs and humidity in summer. And cost of living can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 6/10. Definitely worth checking out.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
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