Curious what people think. I'm a nurse at the local hospital and You can expect to pay around $1,112 for rent here. Crime rate is something to consider -Forest sits at 466.7 per 100K. Average temperature is around 55--F, so the weather is moderate. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The suburbs are where most families end up. Is this normal for Forest? Any help is appreciated. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The weather takes some getting used to. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The city has invested a lot in new development. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable.
12 upvotes
14 Replies
Hunter H.
Saving this thread
38 upvotes
Caleb Myers
Used to live on the North side, now on the Oak Park side. Completely different vibe. it's exactly what I was looking for.
36 upvotes
Matthew C.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a real estate agent, 51, moved here 3 years ago from Miami. I've lived in Highland and Midtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Limited high-paying job options
3. The outdoor recreation situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Highland: Great for remote workers. tough vibes, walkable.
- Midtown: 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 underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $80K-$80K 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.
33 upvotes
Aurora Allen
Public transit is hit or miss here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I love the pace of life here.
32 upvotes
Isaiah
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 15 years ago from Chicago and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Fairview. It's challenging for what you get.
Jobs: The market is manageable right now, especially in finance. If you're in consulting you might struggle.
People: Generally better than expected. It took about 10 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: improving. Tons of options if you like BBQ.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
31 upvotes
Genesis Alvarez
We moved here with our family and it's not perfect but it works for me. Schools in Lakewood area are decent. Kids love it here.
30 upvotes
Claire Gonzalez
hard disagree but ok
27 upvotes
Isla Flores
100%
25 upvotes
Jackson K.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 15 years ago from Portland and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Maple Ridge. It's underrated for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in consulting. If you're in healthcare you might struggle.
People: Generally average. It took about 15 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like Mediterranean.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
18 upvotes
Isabelle Bennett
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is nightlife. I genuinely enjoy living here. Worth doing your research before committing.
12 upvotes
Ezra Rodriguez
The food scene here is hit or miss. Tons of great farm-to-table places. I genuinely enjoy living here.
11 upvotes
Julian J.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a chef, 52, moved here 6 years ago from San Francisco. I've lived in North and Fairview, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited high-paying job options
2. Road conditions need improvement
3. The nightlife situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- North: Great for families. decent vibes, walkable.
- Fairview: 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 San Francisco, everything felt underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $70K-$70K 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.
8 upvotes
atl_john
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value housing market, you'll love it. The cultural scene is genuinely decent and I've found the quality of life is solid. My neighborhood (Uptown) is wild and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Boston, be prepared for the culture shock. outdoor recreation is completely different here. And Nightlife is limited.
My advice would be to visit for at least a week before committing. Rent first, don't buy. And explore multiple neighborhoods - they're all different.
1 upvotes
Ezekiel S.
I've lived in Downtown for about 13 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
the quality of life is solid. When I first moved here from Charlotte, I was surprised by dating scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- The weather scene is hit or miss
The downsides:
- Property taxes are high
- Homeless population growing downtown
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for remote workers. Feel free to reach out with questions..
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