First post here. Average temperature is around 68--F, so the weather is moderate. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Property taxes are high but you get good services. What neighborhoods would you suggest? Looking forward to hearing from you all. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse.
24 upvotes
7 Replies
Isaac T.
Public transit is improving here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's been a really good experience overall.
38 upvotes
Ryan Mendoza
big facts right here
33 upvotes
Jack Hughes
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 13 years ago from Salt Lake City and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Eastside. It's pretty good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in manufacturing. If you're in hospitality you might struggle.
People: Generally better than expected. It took about 18 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: solid. Tons of options if you like Italian.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
31 upvotes
Paisley Johnson
yeah no that's not right
26 upvotes
Nora T.
yeah no that's not right
24 upvotes
Philip R.
As someone who grew up here, it exceeded my expectations. A lot has changed in the past few years though. traffic used to be much stable but now it's decent.
14 upvotes
Emilia Cook
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a pharmacist, 25, moved here 15 years ago from Boston. I've lived in Highland and Oak Park, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Strong sense of community
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The weather situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Highland: Great for young professionals. excellent vibes, walkable.
- Oak Park: 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 Boston, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $40K-$120K here.
**Final verdict:**
Feel free to reach out with questions.. 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.
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