Not sure if this has been asked before, but Born and raised here. Average temperature is around 81--F, so it's warm year-round. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Worth the trade-offs? TIA! The city has invested a lot in new development. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood.
1 upvotes
12 Replies
Arianna P.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem tough.
I've been here 1 years and I love the pace of life here. The thing nobody mentions is cost of living. It's reasonable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the walkability is legit. And if you're into rock climbing, this place is decent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Uptown side vs the Oak Park side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
39 upvotes
Logan Cook
Public transit is surprisingly good here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's been a really good experience overall.
30 upvotes
Reagan Gonzalez
wish I knew this sooner
28 upvotes
Waylon Castillo
same here
22 upvotes
Roman Scott
facts
20 upvotes
Emily Gutierrez
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 3 years ago from Miami and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in East. It's underrated for what you get.
Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in healthcare. If you're in finance you might struggle.
People: Generally solid. It took about 5 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: pretty good. Tons of options if you like Indian.
Definitely worth checking out..
19 upvotes
John Morales
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is weather. I love the pace of life here. Worth doing your research before committing.
10 upvotes
Hannah Richardson
We moved here with our family and it was the best decision I ever made. Schools in The Heights area are hit or miss. Kids love it here.
9 upvotes
Roman Evans
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a HR manager, 30, moved here 8 years ago from Minneapolis. I've lived in Springfield and The Heights, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Nice parks and green spaces
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Road conditions need improvement
3. The outdoor recreation situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Springfield: Great for remote workers. pretty good vibes, walkable.
- The Heights: 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 better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $80K-$100K 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.
8 upvotes
Scarlett Smith
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 8 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 2-bed in West. It's surprisingly good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in consulting. If you're in finance you might struggle.
People: Generally better than expected. It took about 18 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: better than expected. Tons of options if you like Vietnamese.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
7 upvotes
Easton Long
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a social worker who relocated here from San Francisco about 6 years ago. The main reasons were cost of living and weather.
Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Strong job market in several industries
- Lots of new development happening
Cons that are real:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Limited high-paying job options
Financially, we've found it pretty good compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are developing, gas is excellent.
Socially, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
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