My partner and I are Homes are going for about $152,300 on average. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. What would you do? The city has invested a lot in new development. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much.
2 upvotes
20 Replies
Ellie Price
bump
38 upvotes
Stella D.
I've been living here for 10 years and I'd say I love the pace of life here. The school system is average compared to other places I've lived. Overall Would recommend to anyone considering it..
36 upvotes
Brooks
Bought a house here in 2017 and I genuinely enjoy living here. Property values have gone about the same since then.
31 upvotes
born_amelia54
thanks for sharing
27 upvotes
Benjamin Rogers
Weather-wise, the summers are tough and winters are manageable. You get used to it after the first year.
26 upvotes
Kai J.
Public transit is better than expected here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's not perfect but it works for me.
25 upvotes
Piper Gomez
been saying this for years
24 upvotes
Cameron Evans
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a nurse, 29, moved here 6 years ago from Baltimore. I've lived in Riverside and Greenfield, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Strong job market in several industries
2. Four distinct seasons
3. Close to major attractions
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Chain restaurants dominate
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The community vibe situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Riverside: Great for couples. better than expected vibes, walkable.
- Greenfield: 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 Baltimore, everything felt solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $50K-$70K here.
**Final verdict:**
Good luck with whatever you decide.. 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.
18 upvotes
Everly
I've been living here for 13 years and I'd say I have mixed feelings honestly. The nightlife is underrated compared to other places I've lived. Overall Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
13 upvotes
hannah_runner
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Westside for 1 years. Moved from Dallas for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is challenging. We bought in 2022 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
retail is strong here. retail is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are reasonable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's been a really good experience overall. The outdoor scene is pretty good - we have ski resorts within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Westside schools are improving. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.
**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Traffic during rush hour is rough. Not very walkable outside downtown. And cultural scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 5/10. It's not for everyone but it works for us.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
12 upvotes
Scott W.
glad someone said it
12 upvotes
Isabelle Long
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value weather, you'll love it. The outdoor recreation is genuinely decent and I've found the quality of life is solid. My neighborhood (Highland) is manageable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Minneapolis, be prepared for the culture shock. community vibe is completely different here. And Limited public transit options.
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
Addison Flores
great question, following
11 upvotes
Kinsley Long
Weather-wise, the summers are pretty good and winters are wild. You get used to it after the first year.
6 upvotes
Julia
I've lived in Uptown for about 11 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it was the best decision I ever made. When I first moved here from New York, I was surprised by school system. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Four distinct seasons
- The traffic scene is pretty good
The downsides:
- Nightlife is limited
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for young professionals. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
5 upvotes
Abigail B.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a nurse, 31, moved here 6 years ago from Dallas. I've lived in Highland and South, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Growing food and restaurant scene
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Summers can be brutally hot
3. The food scene situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Highland: Great for young professionals. average vibes, walkable.
- South: 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 pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $60K-$110K here.
**Final verdict:**
Hope this helps!. 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.
3 upvotes
Andrew Flores
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a teacher, 54, moved here 7 years ago from Chicago. I've lived in Pine Hills and Maple Ridge, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Road conditions need improvement
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The nightlife situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Pine Hills: Great for retirees. better than expected vibes, walkable.
- Maple Ridge: 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 underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $100K-$100K here.
**Final verdict:**
Hope this helps!. 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.
3 upvotes
Marilyn R.
noted, appreciate it
2 upvotes
Isabelle G.
bump
2 upvotes
Robert Evans
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 14 years ago from Austin and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Oak Park. It's better than expected for what you get.
Jobs: The market is reasonable right now, especially in hospitality. If you're in marketing you might struggle.
People: Generally decent. It took about 15 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: challenging. Tons of options if you like farm-to-table.
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