I relocated for work and Crime rate is something to consider -Hinsdale sits at 28.2 per 100K. The food scene here is surprisingly good. What do you all think? Any help is appreciated. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods.
12 upvotes
7 Replies
Mason Martinez
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in West for 2 years. Moved from Denver for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is better than expected. We bought in 2020 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
manufacturing is strong here. tech is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are manageable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The outdoor scene is tough - we have national forests within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. West schools are challenging. 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. Winters are long and cold. Homeless population growing downtown. 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.
33 upvotes
Rylee A.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 5 years ago from Miami and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Riverside. It's decent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in healthcare. If you're in consulting you might struggle.
People: Generally challenging. It took about 13 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: underrated. Tons of options if you like Italian.
Hope this helps!.
31 upvotes
Sarah Lewis
100%
30 upvotes
Anthony O.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem surprisingly good.
I've been here 15 years and I genuinely enjoy living here. The thing nobody mentions is pet-friendliness. It's developing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the dating scene is legit. And if you're into photography, this place is excellent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The West side vs the Downtown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
27 upvotes
Jameson Flores
couldn't agree more
23 upvotes
Benjamin Roberts
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Springfield for 5 years. Moved from Salt Lake City for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is challenging. We bought in 2017 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
legal is strong here. education 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:**
I love the pace of life here. The outdoor scene is solid - we have national forests within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Springfield schools are better than expected. 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. Chain restaurants dominate. Road conditions need improvement. And housing market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 6/10. Hope this helps!. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
22 upvotes
Ruby G.
I've lived in Westside for about 5 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's improved dramatically in recent years. When I first moved here from Pittsburgh, I was surprised by job market. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Good internet infrastructure
- The food scene scene is better than expected
The downsides:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Nightlife is limited
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for families. Good luck with whatever you decide..
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