Not sure if this has been asked before, but I grew up here but left for a while. Poverty rate is 18.5%, which is higher than I expected. Household incomes average around $52,123 in Fulton. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Does this match your experience? Cheers.
5 upvotes
12 Replies
Sophia Long
glad someone said it
39 upvotes
Ava B.
My experience has been mostly positive. I'm still on the fence after all this time. The only thing I'd watch out for is food scene. Other than that, Happy to answer more specific questions..
35 upvotes
Waylon Reyes
lol so true
29 upvotes
Aaron M.
Hot take but it was the best decision I ever made. I know a lot of people disagree but after 12 years here, that's my honest assessment.
26 upvotes
Abigail Evans
I work in marketing here and it was the best decision I ever made. The job market for my field is improving. Happy to answer more specific questions..
26 upvotes
Eli Sanchez
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 8 years ago from San Diego and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Meadowbrook. It's solid for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in manufacturing. If you're in finance you might struggle.
People: Generally surprisingly good. It took about 11 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: improving. Tons of options if you like sushi.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
25 upvotes
Scarlett Thomas
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value dating scene, you'll love it. The job market is genuinely average and I've found it's not perfect but it works for me. My neighborhood (Westside) is reasonable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Chicago, be prepared for the culture shock. cost of living is completely different here. And Traffic during rush hour is rough.
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.
20 upvotes
Eleanor M.
seconding this
19 upvotes
Madelyn
same here
18 upvotes
Weston Gomez
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it was the best decision I ever made. Happy to answer more specific questions..
14 upvotes
Sophia
Used to live on the Oak Park side, now on the Riverside side. Completely different vibe. it's exactly what I was looking for.
12 upvotes
Elizabeth H.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a software engineer who relocated here from Boston about 1 years ago. The main reasons were school and school.
Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Active local events and festivals
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Road conditions need improvement
Financially, we've found it challenging compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are competitive, gas is improving.
Socially, it was the best decision I ever made. Happy to answer more specific questions..
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