Hey folks, Homes are going for about $289,600 on average. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The food scene here is surprisingly good. What are your go-to spots? Any help is appreciated. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse.
10 upvotes
10 Replies
Lucas Ross
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 3-bedroom. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Compared to San Diego it's decent.
36 upvotes
Luna Thomas
My experience has been mostly positive. it's exactly what I was looking for. The only thing I'd watch out for is community vibe. Other than that, Happy to answer more specific questions..
35 upvotes
James James
We moved here with our family and I love the pace of life here. Schools in Old Town area are decent. Kids love it here.
25 upvotes
Emmett R.
hard disagree but ok
23 upvotes
Austin
wish I knew this sooner
22 upvotes
Julian Howard
accurate
21 upvotes
Mackenzie Jones
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a nurse who relocated here from Miami about 1 years ago. The main reasons were school and my partner's job.
Pros I've experienced:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Good healthcare facilities
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Limited public transit options
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
Financially, we've found it challenging compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are developing, gas is surprisingly good.
Socially, I'm still on the fence after all this time. Definitely worth checking out..
17 upvotes
Savannah Morris
I've been living here for 5 years and I'd say it's improved dramatically in recent years. The traffic is tough compared to other places I've lived. Overall Would recommend to anyone considering it..
2 upvotes
Jeremiah Brown
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a data analyst, 26, moved here 9 years ago from Chicago. I've lived in Oak Park and Downtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Nice parks and green spaces
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Urban sprawl is real
3. The walkability situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Oak Park: Great for young professionals. decent 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 Chicago, everything felt decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $70K-$90K here.
**Final verdict:**
It's not for everyone but it works for us.. 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.
0 upvotes
Joseph Howard
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 14 years ago from San Diego and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Meadowbrook. It's decent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in manufacturing. If you're in consulting you might struggle.
People: Generally challenging. It took about 4 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: decent. Tons of options if you like Mediterranean.
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