Hey, Average temperature is around 47--F, so expect cold winters. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. What neighborhoods would you suggest? People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level.
29 upvotes
18 Replies
Caleb Reyes
good to know, thanks
38 upvotes
Katherine M.
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is food scene. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Worth doing your research before committing.
35 upvotes
Julian J.
Bought a house here in 2018 and I love the pace of life here. Property values have gone up significantly since then.
35 upvotes
Elizabeth
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a physical therapist, 48, moved here 10 years ago from Phoenix. I've lived in Cedar Grove and Greenfield, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Four distinct seasons
3. Close to major attractions
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Property taxes are high
2. Road conditions need improvement
3. The cost of living situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Cedar Grove: Great for singles. surprisingly good vibes, walkable.
- Greenfield: 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 Phoenix, everything felt excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $60K-$90K 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.
30 upvotes
Robert Lopez
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Old Town for 13 years. Moved from Minneapolis for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is excellent. We bought in 2023 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
retail is strong here. education is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are growing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The outdoor scene is hit or miss - we have biking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Old Town schools are improving. 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. Property taxes are high. Limited entertainment options. And housing market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 5/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
27 upvotes
Allison Watson
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's been a really good experience overall. Internet is hit or miss in most areas.
26 upvotes
Brooklyn Ward
same here
22 upvotes
Kinsley F.
I'm a software engineer and I've found it's improved dramatically in recent years. The community is hit or miss and there's always something going on.
20 upvotes
Ariana T.
Came here for a fresh start and stayed because it's not perfect but it works for me. The outdoor recreation is honestly average and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
20 upvotes
Angel Ramos
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 2 years ago from Raleigh and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Oak Park. It's pretty good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in construction. If you're in marketing you might struggle.
People: Generally underrated. It took about 8 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: average. Tons of options if you like Korean.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
18 upvotes
Autumn Taylor
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a chef who relocated here from Phoenix about 9 years ago. The main reasons were weather and cost of living.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good schools in most areas
- Decent public transit for the size
- Four distinct seasons
Cons that are real:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Rising rent and home prices
Financially, we've found it decent compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are stable, gas is excellent.
Socially, I'm still on the fence after all this time. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
17 upvotes
Waylon G.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a HR manager who relocated here from San Diego about 10 years ago. The main reasons were my partner's job and quality of life.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good schools in most areas
- Decent public transit for the size
- Close to major attractions
Cons that are real:
- Limited shopping options
- Far from beaches/mountains
Financially, we've found it challenging compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are wild, gas is solid.
Socially, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Feel free to reach out with questions..
17 upvotes
Nicholas Mendoza
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are excellent, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
16 upvotes
Eleanor J.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a pharmacist, 28, moved here 1 years ago from Seattle. I've lived in Highland and South, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Lots of new development happening
3. Four distinct seasons
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Rising rent and home prices
2. Nightlife is limited
3. The food scene situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Highland: Great for retirees. challenging vibes, walkable.
- South: 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 pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $40K-$110K here.
**Final verdict:**
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. 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.
16 upvotes
Isaac
exactly what I was thinking
8 upvotes
Ariana Price
I work in hospitality here and I love the pace of life here. The job market for my field is average. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
6 upvotes
chill_mason80
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a sales manager who relocated here from Tampa about 1 years ago. The main reasons were school and my partner's job.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good healthcare facilities
- Lots of new development happening
- Affordable housing options
Cons that are real:
- Winters are long and cold
- Homeless population growing downtown
Financially, we've found it tough compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are developing, gas is decent.
Socially, the quality of life is solid. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
5 upvotes
Elizabeth Torres
I've been living here for 10 years and I'd say there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The housing market is tough compared to other places I've lived. Overall Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
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