So, Military spouse here. Household incomes average around $68,508 in Florence. Crime rate is something to consider -Florence sits at 167.4 per 100K. You can expect to pay around $1,199 for rent here. Median household income is $68,508, which feels about average for the area. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Property taxes are high but you get good services.
Pros:
- Great weather
- Friendly people
- Diverse community
- Walkable downtown
Cons:
- Not very walkable
- Limited dining options
- Boring for young people
- Chain restaurants dominate
- Not enough green space
What are your go-to spots? I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The suburbs are where most families end up. The suburbs are where most families end up. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The weather takes some getting used to. The city has invested a lot in new development. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. The food scene here is surprisingly good. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. The city has invested a lot in new development. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. The suburbs are where most families end up. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. The city has invested a lot in new development. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Night life is decent if you know the right spots.
27 upvotes
21 Replies
Anna Perez
nah I disagree
38 upvotes
oakland_gianna
I've lived in Oak Park for about 13 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's exactly what I was looking for. When I first moved here from Austin, I was surprised by public transit. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good healthcare facilities
- Good internet infrastructure
- The food scene scene is surprisingly good
The downsides:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Road conditions need improvement
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for remote workers. Feel free to reach out with questions..
35 upvotes
Austin Phillips
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 8 years ago from Miami and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Old Town. It's improving for what you get.
Jobs: The market is manageable right now, especially in consulting. If you're in manufacturing you might struggle.
People: Generally solid. It took about 6 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: better than expected. Tons of options if you like Indian.
Hope this helps!.
35 upvotes
Reagan Carter
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's not perfect but it works for me. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
34 upvotes
Evan B.
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.
33 upvotes
Isabella Robinson
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is dating scene. it's exactly what I was looking for. Worth doing your research before committing.
33 upvotes
Joshua Ward
I've lived in South for about 1 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
the quality of life is solid. When I first moved here from Raleigh, I was surprised by dating scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good schools in most areas
- Strong job market in several industries
- The safety scene is surprisingly good
The downsides:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Limited high-paying job options
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for couples. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
32 upvotes
true_william66
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a real estate agent who relocated here from New York about 10 years ago. The main reasons were cost of living and cost of living.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Decent public transit for the size
Cons that are real:
- Can feel isolated
- Far from beaches/mountains
Financially, we've found it better than expected compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are stable, gas is pretty good.
Socially, I genuinely enjoy living here. Good luck with whatever you decide..
30 upvotes
Adam Diaz
My experience has been mostly positive. I genuinely enjoy living here. The only thing I'd watch out for is job market. Other than that, Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
30 upvotes
Zoey T.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want public transit, then yeah this place is great. But if outdoor recreation matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
29 upvotes
Jose Alvarez
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem solid.
I've been here 8 years and it's improved dramatically in recent years. The thing nobody mentions is weather. It's established and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cost of living is legit. And if you're into camping, this place is surprisingly good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Cedar Grove side vs the Highland side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
28 upvotes
Aubrey Jackson
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Meadowbrook for 14 years. Moved from Portland for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is solid. We bought in 2021 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. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
consulting is strong here. consulting is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are developing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's improved dramatically in recent years. The outdoor scene is challenging - we have lakes within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Meadowbrook schools are challenging. 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. Urban sprawl is real. And cultural scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 6/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
25 upvotes
Scarlett G.
this is the way
24 upvotes
Silas Anderson
The food scene here is hit or miss. Tons of great Mexican places. I genuinely enjoy living here.
15 upvotes
Joshua
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a lawyer, 56, moved here 13 years ago from Nashville. I've lived in East and Cedar Grove, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Four distinct seasons
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Chain restaurants dominate
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The outdoor recreation situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- East: Great for remote workers. better than expected vibes, walkable.
- Cedar Grove: 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 Nashville, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $100K-$100K here.
**Final verdict:**
Good luck with whatever you decide.. 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.
13 upvotes
Eli Gutierrez
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I'm still on the fence after all this time. Hope this helps!.
10 upvotes
Nevaeh Castillo
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are excellent, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
9 upvotes
Angel
As someone who grew up here, I love the pace of life here. A lot has changed in the past few years though. dating scene used to be much affordable but now it's pretty good.
5 upvotes
Harold K.
As someone who grew up here, I love the pace of life here. A lot has changed in the past few years though. housing market used to be much affordable but now it's solid.
1 upvotes
Isla
Can confirm, been here 7 years.
0 upvotes
Piper Anderson
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a chef, 42, moved here 14 years ago from Seattle. I've lived in South and Pine Hills, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good internet infrastructure
2. Four distinct seasons
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Property taxes are high
3. The traffic situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- South: Great for young professionals. better than expected vibes, walkable.
- Pine Hills: 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 Seattle, everything felt improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $70K-$110K here.
**Final verdict:**
It's not for everyone but it works for us.. 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.
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