Anyone else feel this way? You can expect to pay around $2,683 for rent here. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The suburbs are where most families end up. Anyone in a similar situation? There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. The food scene here is surprisingly good.
1 upvotes
11 Replies
Owen Edwards
honestly same experience here
29 upvotes
Greyson L.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a software engineer, 33, moved here 11 years ago from San Diego. I've lived in West and Oak Park, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Low crime in most neighborhoods
3. Active local events and festivals
4. The people are generally hit or miss - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Chain restaurants dominate
3. The traffic situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- West: Great for couples. hit or miss vibes, walkable.
- Oak Park: 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 San Diego, everything felt challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $70K-$90K 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.
27 upvotes
Michael M.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 5 years ago from Phoenix and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Cedar Grove. It's excellent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in hospitality. If you're in marketing you might struggle.
People: Generally hit or miss. It took about 5 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: average. Tons of options if you like BBQ.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
22 upvotes
James Rivera
glad someone said it
21 upvotes
Isaac M.
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is job market. I genuinely enjoy living here. Worth doing your research before committing.
19 upvotes
Cooper Bennett
Hot take but it's improved dramatically in recent years. I know a lot of people disagree but after 2 years here, that's my honest assessment.
18 upvotes
chill_samuel29
Came here for work and stayed because I'm still on the fence after all this time. The pet-friendliness is honestly hit or miss and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
18 upvotes
Skylar Perez
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 7 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 Riverside. It's solid for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in construction. If you're in marketing you might struggle.
People: Generally excellent. It took about 8 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: surprisingly good. Tons of options if you like Southern.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
18 upvotes
Brielle Stewart
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value food scene, you'll love it. The food scene is genuinely average and I've found the quality of life is solid. My neighborhood (The Heights) is growing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Atlanta, be prepared for the culture shock. community vibe is completely different here. And Chain restaurants dominate.
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
Charlotte A.
I work in retail here and it was the best decision I ever made. The job market for my field is excellent. Feel free to reach out with questions..
All Countries
