Anyone else feel this way? Military spouse here. Poverty rate is 11.7%, which is around average. Average temperature is around 73--F, so it's warm year-round. Rent is about $1,206/month for a decent place. The unemployment rate is 2.8%, which is pretty low. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Does this match your experience? Thanks in advance! Night life is decent if you know the right spots.
0 upvotes
13 Replies
Angel Price
Weather-wise, the summers are decent and winters are manageable. You get used to it after the first year.
39 upvotes
savannah_dude
Came here for retirement and stayed because it's been a really good experience overall. The healthcare is honestly solid and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
26 upvotes
Brielle Baker
Can confirm, been here 7 years.
25 upvotes
Zoey
thanks for sharing
24 upvotes
Emmett R.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a nurse who relocated here from Raleigh about 14 years ago. The main reasons were cost of living and school.
Pros I've experienced:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Good healthcare facilities
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Nightlife is limited
- Urban sprawl is real
Financially, we've found it improving compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are reasonable, gas is pretty good.
Socially, it was the best decision I ever made. Definitely worth checking out..
18 upvotes
Lillian Walker
preach
11 upvotes
Gary J.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 3 years ago from Boston and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Oak Park. It's hit or miss for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in retail. If you're in healthcare you might struggle.
People: Generally challenging. It took about 14 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: pretty good. Tons of options if you like sushi.
Hope this helps!.
10 upvotes
mountain_david50
This.
8 upvotes
Nolan
Bought a house here in 2022 and it exceeded my expectations. Property values have gone about the same since then.
7 upvotes
John Brooks
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value traffic, you'll love it. The safety is genuinely decent and I've found it exceeded my expectations. My neighborhood (Highland) is stable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Minneapolis, be prepared for the culture shock. safety 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.
7 upvotes
Valentina King
yeah no that's not right
5 upvotes
Santiago Castillo
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is cost of living. it's not perfect but it works for me. Worth doing your research before committing.
4 upvotes
Ezra S.
I work in construction here and I love the pace of life here. The job market for my field is excellent. Feel free to reach out with questions..
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