Hey, Been living here since 2017. You can expect to pay around $1,487 for rent here. Poverty rate is 8.6%, which is pretty low. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Anyone in a similar situation? It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. It's not perfect, but the community is solid.
10 upvotes
12 Replies
Santiago Roberts
honestly same experience here
37 upvotes
Quinn Morris
My experience has been mostly positive. I have mixed feelings honestly. The only thing I'd watch out for is healthcare. Other than that, Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
29 upvotes
Aaliyah Long
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 4 years ago from New York 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 affordable right now, especially in engineering. If you're in marketing you might struggle.
People: Generally challenging. It took about 9 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: surprisingly good. Tons of options if you like Asian.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
27 upvotes
Luca Cooper
Saving this thread
26 upvotes
Abigail H.
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it exceeded my expectations. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
18 upvotes
Ian Wright
As someone who grew up here, it's improved dramatically in recent years. A lot has changed in the past few years though. traffic used to be much competitive but now it's average.
17 upvotes
Natalie Bailey
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a writer, 27, moved here 7 years ago from Austin. I've lived in Oak Park and Old Town, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Nice parks and green spaces
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Close to major attractions
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Property taxes are high
2. Dating scene is rough
3. The walkability situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Oak Park: Great for families. 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 Austin, everything felt average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $80K-$110K here.
**Final verdict:**
Happy to answer more specific questions.. 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.
16 upvotes
Benjamin P.
not my experience at all
15 upvotes
Kevin R.
Hot take but it's exactly what I was looking for. I know a lot of people disagree but after 9 years here, that's my honest assessment.
13 upvotes
Riley Gray
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a nurse, 40, moved here 6 years ago from Minneapolis. I've lived in Cedar Grove and West, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Low crime in most neighborhoods
3. Nice parks and green spaces
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Property taxes are high
2. Can feel isolated
3. The dating scene situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Cedar Grove: Great for young professionals. surprisingly good vibes, walkable.
- West: 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 Minneapolis, everything felt solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $40K-$120K here.
**Final verdict:**
Happy to answer more specific questions.. 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.
5 upvotes
Addison Gomez
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem surprisingly good.
I've been here 9 years and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The thing nobody mentions is pet-friendliness. It's competitive and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the job market is legit. And if you're into fishing, this place is decent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Cedar Grove side vs the West side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
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