Hey folks, I'm a college student here and Poverty rate is 5.3%, which is pretty low. Average temperature is around 72--F, so it's warm year-round. The median home value here is around $575,200, which is pretty steep. Rent is about $1,781/month for a decent place. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Anyone in a similar situation? Cheers. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. It's not perfect, but the community is solid.
10 upvotes
5 Replies
Paisley Young
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a HR manager who relocated here from Houston about 9 years ago. The main reasons were weather and weather.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Four distinct seasons
- Diverse dining options
Cons that are real:
- Winters are long and cold
- Not very walkable outside downtown
Financially, we've found it excellent compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are established, gas is excellent.
Socially, I love the pace of life here. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
35 upvotes
Allison Rivera
couldn't agree more
34 upvotes
Charlotte S.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 11 years ago from Minneapolis and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Oak Park. It's pretty good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in marketing. If you're in tech you might struggle.
People: Generally better than expected. It took about 18 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: decent. Tons of options if you like Vietnamese.
Hope this helps!.
20 upvotes
miami_audrey
I'm a chef and I've found I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The community is pretty good and there's always something going on.
8 upvotes
Natalie P.
The food scene here is improving. Tons of great Indian places. it was the best decision I ever made.
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