So, We're a young couple and It's a a smaller city city with about 56,453 people. The weather takes some getting used to. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Am I wrong here? Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood.
26 upvotes
14 Replies
Isaiah
Moved here from Austin about 4 years ago. it's been a really good experience overall. Still getting used to weather but Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
39 upvotes
Arthur G.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a real estate agent, 47, moved here 5 years ago from Seattle. I've lived in Greenfield and East, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Low crime in most neighborhoods
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Chain restaurants dominate
3. The housing market situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Greenfield: Great for retirees. average vibes, walkable.
- East: 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 challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $100K-$140K here.
**Final verdict:**
Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. 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.
37 upvotes
Cora
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 13 years ago from Phoenix and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Oak Park. It's pretty good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in retail. If you're in hospitality you might struggle.
People: Generally underrated. It took about 9 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: decent. Tons of options if you like BBQ.
Definitely worth checking out..
36 upvotes
Ryan Diaz
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 7 years ago from Atlanta and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Meadowbrook. It's improving for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in retail. If you're in retail you might struggle.
People: Generally pretty good. It took about 16 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: better than expected. Tons of options if you like Vietnamese.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
29 upvotes
Adeline Wood
Public transit is better than expected here. You'll probably need a car for most things. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
24 upvotes
Scarlett Turner
I'm a accountant and I've found the quality of life is solid. The community is hit or miss and there's always something going on.
24 upvotes
Santiago Ward
bump
23 upvotes
Ronald R.
I work in consulting here and it was the best decision I ever made. The job market for my field is underrated. Feel free to reach out with questions..
19 upvotes
Grayson Wood
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want healthcare, then yeah this place is great. But if safety matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
18 upvotes
Parker M.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Downtown for 10 years. Moved from Minneapolis for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is underrated. We bought in 2021 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
legal is strong here. retail is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are wild for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The outdoor scene is average - we have ski resorts within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Downtown schools are tough. 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. Summers can be brutally hot. Rising rent and home prices. And cost of living can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 7/10. Would recommend to anyone considering it.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
12 upvotes
Addison Hughes
As someone who grew up here, I'm still on the fence after all this time. A lot has changed in the past few years though. healthcare used to be much growing but now it's decent.
11 upvotes
Isaac Ramirez
Came here for retirement and stayed because I have mixed feelings honestly. The dating scene is honestly challenging and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
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