Born and raised here. You can expect to pay around $1,566 for rent here. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Would love some local perspective. Looking forward to hearing from you all. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly.
59 upvotes
14 Replies
Olivia P.
thanks for sharing
39 upvotes
Michael Lewis
same here
36 upvotes
Nevaeh Collins
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I have mixed feelings honestly. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
31 upvotes
Joseph Harris
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a accountant, 37, moved here 11 years ago from Seattle. I've lived in Highland and Greenfield, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Low crime in most neighborhoods
3. Decent public transit for the size
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Urban sprawl is real
3. The public transit situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Highland: Great for remote workers. solid 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 Seattle, everything felt improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $70K-$80K here.
**Final verdict:**
It's not for everyone but it works for us.. 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.
31 upvotes
julian_fan
noted, appreciate it
29 upvotes
Christian Young
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a software engineer, 53, moved here 13 years ago from Austin. I've lived in Oak Park and Greenfield, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Affordable housing options
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not very walkable outside downtown
2. Road conditions need improvement
3. The dating scene situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Oak Park: Great for couples. improving 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 Austin, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $80K-$90K here.
**Final verdict:**
Would recommend to anyone considering it.. 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.
28 upvotes
Elizabeth Y.
Used to live on the Highland side, now on the South side. Completely different vibe. it's exactly what I was looking for.
25 upvotes
Savannah Mendoza
I'm a real estate agent and I've found I love the pace of life here. The community is excellent and there's always something going on.
24 upvotes
Bennett Ramirez
I've been living here for 3 years and I'd say I'm still on the fence after all this time. The nightlife is surprisingly good compared to other places I've lived. Overall Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
10 upvotes
Eleanor R.
I'm a chef and I've found I love the pace of life here. The community is challenging and there's always something going on.
10 upvotes
Nora Garcia
wish I knew this sooner
9 upvotes
Eleanor
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are decent, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
7 upvotes
Addison Turner
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want school system, then yeah this place is great. But if dating scene matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
6 upvotes
Amelia Garcia
As someone who grew up here, it's not perfect but it works for me. A lot has changed in the past few years though. public transit used to be much established but now it's improving.
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