Curious what people think. My family moved here when I was a kid. Household incomes average around $133,346 in Glen Ellyn. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Looking forward to hearing from you all. The suburbs are where most families end up.
5 upvotes
23 Replies
Audrey Carter
bump
40 upvotes
Ezra
yeah no that's not right
36 upvotes
Luke Carter
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 3-bedroom. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Compared to San Francisco it's solid.
30 upvotes
Logan
My experience has been mostly positive. it's not perfect but it works for me. The only thing I'd watch out for is traffic. Other than that, Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
29 upvotes
Aaliyah Garcia
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 11 years ago from Seattle and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Lakewood. It's improving for what you get.
Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in legal. If you're in finance you might struggle.
People: Generally average. It took about 3 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: excellent. Tons of options if you like Asian.
Hope this helps!.
28 upvotes
Nova Adams
Moved here from Atlanta about 14 years ago. it was the best decision I ever made. Still getting used to job market but No regrets on my end..
27 upvotes
dcvibes2020
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a HR manager, 34, moved here 2 years ago from Seattle. I've lived in Fairview and Downtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Close to major attractions
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Rising rent and home prices
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The traffic situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Fairview: Great for families. solid vibes, walkable.
- Downtown: 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 average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $90K-$100K here.
**Final verdict:**
Definitely worth checking out.. 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.
26 upvotes
Miles O.
We moved here with our family and it's improved dramatically in recent years. Schools in Greenfield area are decent. Kids love it here.
26 upvotes
Ian Smith
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a chef who relocated here from Boston about 2 years ago. The main reasons were retirement and work.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good healthcare facilities
- Lots of new development happening
- Diverse dining options
Cons that are real:
- Can feel isolated
- Limited entertainment options
Financially, we've found it pretty good compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are manageable, gas is average.
Socially, it exceeded my expectations. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
21 upvotes
columbusvibes2022
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Highland for 7 years. Moved from Portland for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is solid. We bought in 2022 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
marketing is strong here. education is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are affordable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's exactly what I was looking for. The outdoor scene is surprisingly good - we have mountains within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Highland schools are better than expected. 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. Not very walkable outside downtown. And dating scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 6/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
18 upvotes
Xavier Hill
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 14 years ago from Baltimore and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Old Town. It's better than expected for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in manufacturing. If you're in finance you might struggle.
People: Generally underrated. It took about 5 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: excellent. Tons of options if you like Southern.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
18 upvotes
Quinn
Bought a house here in 2017 and it's exactly what I was looking for. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
17 upvotes
Nathan A.
Weather-wise, the summers are surprisingly good and winters are established. You get used to it after the first year.
15 upvotes
Aaliyah Flores
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Greenfield for 12 years. Moved from Salt Lake City for family. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is tough. We bought in 2024 at k and it's now worth down slightly 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:**
tech is strong here. retail is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are reasonable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's been a really good experience overall. The outdoor scene is pretty good - 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. Greenfield 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. Road conditions need improvement. And traffic can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 5/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
12 upvotes
Theodore N.
Used to live on the South side, now on the Cedar Grove side. Completely different vibe. it exceeded my expectations.
10 upvotes
Austin
underrated comment
9 upvotes
Julia H.
as a local I can confirm
7 upvotes
jax_elizabeth
I've been living here for 15 years and I'd say there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The housing market is solid compared to other places I've lived. Overall Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
6 upvotes
Lily Kelly
Weather-wise, the summers are tough and winters are competitive. You get used to it after the first year.
5 upvotes
Arianna Davis
been saying this for years
4 upvotes
Zoey Thomas
great question, following
3 upvotes
Genesis
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a lawyer who relocated here from Seattle about 3 years ago. The main reasons were cost of living and school.
Pros I've experienced:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Good healthcare facilities
- Good internet infrastructure
Cons that are real:
- Property taxes are high
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
Financially, we've found it average compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are wild, gas is excellent.
Socially, it's improved dramatically in recent years. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
2 upvotes
Amelia Smith
I work in engineering here and I genuinely enjoy living here. The job market for my field is decent. Hope this helps!.
All Countries
