Anyone else feel this way? We have two kids and You can expect to pay around $974 for rent here. Homes are going for about $152,300 on average. The median home value here is around $152,300, which is actually reasonable. Poverty rate is 14.5%, which is around average. The suburbs are where most families end up. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Let me know your thoughts. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The city has invested a lot in new development. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Property taxes are high but you get good services.
6 upvotes
11 Replies
Camila Gonzalez
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 10 years ago from Atlanta and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Meadowbrook. It's excellent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in engineering. If you're in retail you might struggle.
People: Generally hit or miss. It took about 7 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: decent. Tons of options if you like Thai.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
39 upvotes
Sarah Thomas
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value safety, you'll love it. The job market is genuinely better than expected and I've found it exceeded my expectations. My neighborhood (The Heights) is wild and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Boston, be prepared for the culture shock. public transit is completely different here. And Not a lot of cultural diversity.
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.
39 upvotes
Michael
Saving this thread
37 upvotes
Julia Johnson
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it was the best decision I ever made. Happy to answer more specific questions..
37 upvotes
Jose Patel
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Old Town for 2 years. Moved from Miami for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is surprisingly good. We bought in 2015 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
hospitality is strong here. marketing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are affordable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
the quality of life is solid. The outdoor scene is underrated - we have hiking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Old Town schools are pretty good. 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. Nightlife is limited. Not very walkable outside downtown. And dating scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 8/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
33 upvotes
Chloe
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Riverside for 4 years. Moved from Dallas for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is underrated. We bought in 2023 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
hospitality is strong here. legal is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are competitive for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it exceeded my expectations. The outdoor scene is better than expected - we have mountains within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Riverside schools are underrated. 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. Not very walkable outside downtown. Not a lot of cultural diversity. And safety can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 5/10. Would recommend to anyone considering it.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
29 upvotes
Zoey Mendoza
I've lived in Westside for about 14 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
the quality of life is solid. When I first moved here from Denver, I was surprised by cultural scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Active local events and festivals
- The outdoor recreation scene is hit or miss
The downsides:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Far from beaches/mountains
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for young professionals. Happy to answer more specific questions..
8 upvotes
Genesis Green
100%
7 upvotes
Maya Wilson
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Highland for 15 years. Moved from Pittsburgh for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is tough. We bought in 2018 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
hospitality is strong here. legal is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are affordable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's not perfect but it works for me. The outdoor scene is solid - we have desert landscapes within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Highland schools are pretty good. 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. Not a lot of cultural diversity. Road conditions need improvement. And community vibe can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 8/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
5 upvotes
Isabella
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem decent.
I've been here 13 years and it's not perfect but it works for me. The thing nobody mentions is pet-friendliness. It's developing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cultural scene is legit. And if you're into kayaking, this place is better than expected.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Fairview side vs the Lakewood side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
2 upvotes
Luna Jimenez
Used to live on the Meadowbrook side, now on the Oak Park side. Completely different vibe. I have mixed feelings honestly.
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