OK so Just moved here 18 months ago and You can expect to pay around $1,836 for rent here. Poverty rate is 7.8%, which is pretty low. Homes are going for about $480,600 on average. It's a a small town city with about 10,902 people. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. The food scene here is surprisingly good.
8 upvotes
15 Replies
Dominic A.
hmm interesting perspective
40 upvotes
Samantha S.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in South for 11 years. Moved from Chicago for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is challenging. We bought in 2024 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
marketing 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 been a really good experience overall. The outdoor scene is improving - we have mountains within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. South schools are pretty good. 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 high-paying job options. Property taxes are high. And traffic can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 6/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
39 upvotes
Sadie
Moved here from Minneapolis about 11 years ago. it's not perfect but it works for me. Still getting used to dating scene but Would recommend to anyone considering it..
33 upvotes
brielle_life
yep
29 upvotes
Steven C.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 13 years ago from Phoenix and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Oak Park. It's pretty good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in healthcare. If you're in real estate you might struggle.
People: Generally excellent. It took about 16 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: excellent. Tons of options if you like Mediterranean.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
28 upvotes
Roman Perez
Used to live on the Pine Hills side, now on the Sunset side. Completely different vibe. I genuinely enjoy living here.
28 upvotes
Thomas L.
My experience has been mostly positive. it exceeded my expectations. The only thing I'd watch out for is community vibe. Other than that, Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
25 upvotes
Brenda G.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Internet is better than expected in most areas.
22 upvotes
Jonathan J.
I'm a social worker and I've found I love the pace of life here. The community is excellent and there's always something going on.
21 upvotes
urban_roman75
Came here for a fresh start and stayed because it's improved dramatically in recent years. The nightlife is honestly solid and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
20 upvotes
Eleanor Anderson
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a marketing manager who relocated here from Minneapolis about 7 years ago. The main reasons were family and a job opportunity.
Pros I've experienced:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Good internet infrastructure
- Affordable housing options
Cons that are real:
- Limited high-paying job options
- Dating scene is rough
Financially, we've found it challenging compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are established, gas is improving.
Socially, it's improved dramatically in recent years. Happy to answer more specific questions..
18 upvotes
Brielle Adams
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 12 years ago from Minneapolis and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Riverside. It's better than expected for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in real estate. If you're in marketing you might struggle.
People: Generally improving. It took about 15 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: average. Tons of options if you like Italian.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
9 upvotes
Emilia Cox
Bought a house here in 2017 and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Property values have gone about the same since then.
7 upvotes
Charlotte Gonzalez
wish I knew this sooner
3 upvotes
Eugene S.
Hot take but it's been a really good experience overall. I know a lot of people disagree but after 10 years here, that's my honest assessment.
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