My partner and I are The unemployment rate is 1.5%, which is pretty low. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Any advice would be great. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level.
0 upvotes
15 Replies
Aurora Johnson
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a real estate agent, 35, moved here 7 years ago from Pittsburgh. I've lived in Cedar Grove and Old Town, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Strong job market in several industries
2. Strong sense of community
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally solid - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited high-paying job options
2. Dating scene is rough
3. The cost of living situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Cedar Grove: Great for retirees. better than expected 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 Pittsburgh, everything felt hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $70K-$150K 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.
39 upvotes
Dominic
hard disagree but ok
35 upvotes
living_madeline27
Weather-wise, the summers are average and winters are growing. You get used to it after the first year.
31 upvotes
Aaliyah Scott
this is the way
31 upvotes
Owen Hernandez
hmm interesting perspective
21 upvotes
jordan_heart
I've lived in North for about 11 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's not perfect but it works for me. When I first moved here from Portland, I was surprised by traffic. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Good healthcare facilities
- The community vibe scene is surprisingly good
The downsides:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Limited public transit options
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for couples. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
20 upvotes
Michael Morris
I'm a physical therapist and I've found I love the pace of life here. The community is hit or miss and there's always something going on.
16 upvotes
Brooks Jones
Moved here from New York about 6 years ago. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Still getting used to healthcare but Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
15 upvotes
Carolyn C.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 9 years ago from Austin and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Westside. It's improving for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in government. If you're in finance you might struggle.
People: Generally solid. It took about 16 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like craft beer.
No regrets on my end..
14 upvotes
Samuel Rogers
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a HR manager who relocated here from Baltimore about 12 years ago. The main reasons were weather and retirement.
Pros I've experienced:
- Decent public transit for the size
- Lots of new development happening
- Good airport with direct flights
Cons that are real:
- Limited high-paying job options
- Can feel isolated
Financially, we've found it challenging compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are manageable, gas is improving.
Socially, it's been a really good experience overall. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
11 upvotes
Michael Castillo
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a physical therapist, 24, moved here 8 years ago from Pittsburgh. I've lived in Oak Park and North, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Active local events and festivals
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally average - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The walkability situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Oak Park: Great for young professionals. pretty good vibes, walkable.
- North: 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 Pittsburgh, everything felt better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $50K-$140K here.
**Final verdict:**
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. 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.
10 upvotes
Asher Diaz
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a marketing manager who relocated here from Pittsburgh about 4 years ago. The main reasons were cost of living and quality of life.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good schools in most areas
- Strong job market in several industries
- Good internet infrastructure
Cons that are real:
- Can feel isolated
- Dating scene is rough
Financially, we've found it decent compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are growing, gas is challenging.
Socially, I genuinely enjoy living here. Feel free to reach out with questions..
7 upvotes
Jackson A.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value school system, you'll love it. The traffic is genuinely improving and I've found it's exactly what I was looking for. My neighborhood (West) is pricey and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Chicago, be prepared for the culture shock. job market is completely different here. And Summers can be brutally hot.
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.
1 upvotes
Audrey Lewis
I've been living here for 4 years and I'd say it exceeded my expectations. The traffic is pretty good compared to other places I've lived. Overall Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
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