OK so We're a young couple and Median household income is $62,917, which feels about average for the area. Homes are going for about $244,700 on average. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Am I overthinking this? It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods.
9 upvotes
11 Replies
Cooper Gonzalez
Came here for a fresh start and stayed because it's been a really good experience overall. The weather is honestly excellent and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
38 upvotes
Ralph K.
As someone who grew up here, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. A lot has changed in the past few years though. school system used to be much established but now it's hit or miss.
25 upvotes
Owen Hernandez
As someone who grew up here, it exceeded my expectations. A lot has changed in the past few years though. community vibe used to be much reasonable but now it's tough.
25 upvotes
Harper Jones
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a pharmacist, 36, moved here 12 years ago from Dallas. I've lived in East and Old Town, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Low crime in most neighborhoods
2. Diverse dining options
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Chain restaurants dominate
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The dating scene situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- East: Great for couples. surprisingly good vibes, walkable.
- Old Town: 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 Dallas, everything felt decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $100K-$120K here.
**Final verdict:**
No regrets on my end.. 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.
22 upvotes
Jordan Moore
Moved here last year, no regrets.
20 upvotes
Brooks
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 12 years ago from Miami and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Riverside. It's pretty good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in real estate. If you're in legal you might struggle.
People: Generally average. It took about 17 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: challenging. Tons of options if you like BBQ.
No regrets on my end..
15 upvotes
Samuel T.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a teacher, 50, moved here 13 years ago from Boston. I've lived in Greenfield and Oak Park, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Lots of new development happening
3. Good internet infrastructure
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Urban sprawl is real
3. The dating scene situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Greenfield: Great for singles. challenging 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 Boston, everything felt challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $100K-$140K 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.
15 upvotes
bostonfan2024
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value pet-friendliness, you'll love it. The cost of living is genuinely solid and I've found the quality of life is solid. My neighborhood (Westside) is competitive and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Chicago, be prepared for the culture shock. public transit is completely different here. And Winters are long and cold.
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.
15 upvotes
Carson Diaz
I work in education here and it's improved dramatically in recent years. The job market for my field is pretty good. Happy to answer more specific questions..
10 upvotes
Lydia Morris
thanks for sharing
6 upvotes
Ellie Parker
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want job market, then yeah this place is great. But if housing market matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
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