Curious what people think. The unemployment rate is 2.5%, which is pretty low. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable.
6 upvotes
9 Replies
Henry Kim
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a project manager who relocated here from Pittsburgh about 9 years ago. The main reasons were quality of life and school.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Limited entertainment options
Financially, we've found it solid compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are growing, gas is underrated.
Socially, it's exactly what I was looking for. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
38 upvotes
William Murphy
I'm a contractor and I've found it's been a really good experience overall. The community is excellent and there's always something going on.
23 upvotes
Ava Ramos
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem pretty good.
I've been here 3 years and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The thing nobody mentions is job market. It's pricey and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the healthcare is legit. And if you're into running, this place is improving.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Uptown side vs the Downtown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Definitely worth checking out..
21 upvotes
theodore_chef
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 9 years ago from Austin and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Oak Park. It's excellent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in tech. If you're in real estate you might struggle.
People: Generally underrated. It took about 3 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: average. Tons of options if you like Asian.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
20 upvotes
Avery G.
The food scene here is hit or miss. Tons of great Korean places. it's not perfect but it works for me.
18 upvotes
Jameson Castillo
yep
16 upvotes
Addison B.
My experience has been mostly positive. the quality of life is solid. The only thing I'd watch out for is cost of living. Other than that, No regrets on my end..
12 upvotes
Adam C.
We moved here with our family and it's not perfect but it works for me. Schools in East area are challenging. Kids love it here.
12 upvotes
David Davis
Public transit is improving here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I love the pace of life here.
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