I'm retired and The unemployment rate is 4.7%, which is about average. It's a a small town city with about 13,743 people. Average temperature is around 56--F, so the weather is moderate. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Would love some local perspective. Any help is appreciated. The weather takes some getting used to. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The food scene here is surprisingly good.
12 upvotes
9 Replies
Hazel P.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a nurse, 28, moved here 13 years ago from Miami. I've lived in Oak Park and Meadowbrook, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good internet infrastructure
2. Active local events and festivals
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The school system situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Oak Park: Great for singles. tough vibes, walkable.
- Meadowbrook: 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 Miami, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $50K-$150K here.
**Final verdict:**
Feel free to reach out with 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.
40 upvotes
William Peterson
nah I disagree
28 upvotes
Silas
same here
25 upvotes
Sophia M.
I work in legal here and I have mixed feelings honestly. The job market for my field is surprisingly good. Good luck with whatever you decide..
25 upvotes
Ariana
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a project manager, 55, moved here 12 years ago from Chicago. I've lived in Riverside and Old Town, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Low crime in most neighborhoods
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Not a lot of cultural diversity
3. The school system situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Riverside: Great for young professionals. decent vibes, walkable.
- Old Town: 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 Chicago, everything felt challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $100K-$110K 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.
23 upvotes
Peyton King
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 15 years ago from Charlotte and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Fairview. It's better than expected for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in consulting. If you're in education you might struggle.
People: Generally decent. It took about 5 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: tough. Tons of options if you like seafood.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
22 upvotes
Lydia B.
couldn't agree more
21 upvotes
Julian Edwards
this is the way
20 upvotes
Arianna Robinson
I've been living here for 4 years and I'd say it's been a really good experience overall. The cost of living is hit or miss compared to other places I've lived. Overall Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
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