Relocating to Glendale Heights, IL -pros and cons?
Random thought, Average temperature is around 49--F, so expect cold winters. Household incomes average around $82,232 in Glendale Heights. Homes are going for about $249,000 on average. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Am I overthinking this? The food scene here is surprisingly good. The food scene here is surprisingly good. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. The city has invested a lot in new development. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The suburbs are where most families end up. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The suburbs are where most families end up. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years.
1 upvotes
23 Replies
Andrew Howard
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value community vibe, you'll love it. The healthcare is genuinely average and I've found it's not perfect but it works for me. My neighborhood (Highland) is growing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Charlotte, be prepared for the culture shock. school system is completely different here. And Property taxes are high.
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.
37 upvotes
Hudson
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a accountant, 53, moved here 10 years ago from Phoenix. I've lived in Lakewood and Springfield, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Nice parks and green spaces
3. Close to major attractions
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Summers can be brutally hot
3. The safety situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Lakewood: Great for couples. excellent vibes, walkable.
- Springfield: 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 decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $60K-$120K 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.
37 upvotes
Rylee Garcia
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem improving.
I've been here 3 years and it's exactly what I was looking for. The thing nobody mentions is safety. It's developing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the job market is legit. And if you're into camping, this place is hit or miss.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Oak Park side vs the East side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Hope this helps!.
35 upvotes
Luke Brooks
it depends on the neighborhood
34 upvotes
Gianna K.
I've been living here for 6 years and I'd say there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The community vibe is challenging compared to other places I've lived. Overall Would recommend to anyone considering it..
28 upvotes
Julian Kelly
Moved here from Portland about 11 years ago. it's exactly what I was looking for. Still getting used to cost of living but Feel free to reach out with questions..
26 upvotes
minneapolisgirl2023
nah I disagree
26 upvotes
Nolan Hall
We moved here with our family and it exceeded my expectations. Schools in Uptown area are average. Kids love it here.
26 upvotes
Christian Flores
following this thread
22 upvotes
Autumn Scott
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 14 years ago from Tampa and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Old Town. It's improving for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in tech. If you're in consulting you might struggle.
People: Generally average. It took about 7 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like Mexican.
No regrets on my end..
16 upvotes
Madelyn Bailey
I've lived in North for about 14 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. When I first moved here from Dallas, I was surprised by dating scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Good healthcare facilities
- The dating scene scene is challenging
The downsides:
- Limited high-paying job options
- Dating scene is rough
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for remote workers. Hope this helps!.
14 upvotes
Joseph Ross
I'm a sales manager and I've found there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The community is solid and there's always something going on.
13 upvotes
Leonardo Wilson
Came here for a fresh start and stayed because I have mixed feelings honestly. The nightlife is honestly hit or miss and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
13 upvotes
Gabriella Flores
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value outdoor recreation, you'll love it. The housing market is genuinely improving and I've found it's been a really good experience overall. My neighborhood (Highland) is growing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from San Diego, be prepared for the culture shock. community vibe is completely different here. And Urban sprawl is real.
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.
12 upvotes
Scarlett R.
same here
9 upvotes
Elijah
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem decent.
I've been here 14 years and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The thing nobody mentions is housing market. It's competitive and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the housing market is legit. And if you're into mountain biking, this place is decent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Meadowbrook side vs the Greenfield side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
8 upvotes
Angel Hughes
We moved here with our family and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Schools in Fairview area are pretty good. Kids love it here.
7 upvotes
Asher Roberts
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem improving.
I've been here 10 years and I genuinely enjoy living here. The thing nobody mentions is school system. It's competitive and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the food scene is legit. And if you're into surfing, this place is underrated.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The South side vs the East side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
6 upvotes
Aiden L.
Bought a house here in 2020 and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Property values have gone up significantly since then.
5 upvotes
Benjamin
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a HR manager who relocated here from Tampa about 15 years ago. The main reasons were my partner's job and retirement.
Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Strong job market in several industries
Cons that are real:
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
- Limited shopping 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 competitive, gas is average.
Socially, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
5 upvotes
Silas Long
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Pine Hills for 11 years. Moved from Denver for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is solid. We bought in 2016 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
marketing is strong here. real estate 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:**
the quality of life is solid. The outdoor scene is better than expected - we have lakes within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Pine Hills schools are solid. 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. Urban sprawl is real. Dating scene is rough. And walkability can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 5/10. Hope this helps!. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
3 upvotes
Peyton Bennett
Came here for retirement and stayed because it's not perfect but it works for me. The traffic is honestly decent and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
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