Been meaning to ask this. I'm a teacher here and Rent is about $1,555/month for a decent place. It's a a mid-size city city with about 153K people. You can expect to pay around $1,555 for rent here. Median household income is $65,359, which feels about average for the area. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Is this normal for Hollywood? Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The weather takes some getting used to. The weather takes some getting used to.
46 upvotes
4 Replies
living_addison29
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem challenging.
I've been here 9 years and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The thing nobody mentions is safety. It's manageable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the food scene is legit. And if you're into hiking, this place is tough.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Riverside side vs the Springfield side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Hope this helps!.
35 upvotes
Nicholas Cruz
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem pretty good.
I've been here 15 years and I love the pace of life here. The thing nobody mentions is nightlife. It's reasonable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the job market is legit. And if you're into golfing, this place is pretty good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Oak Park side vs the Springfield side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Definitely worth checking out..
12 upvotes
William Patel
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a physical therapist, 33, moved here 15 years ago from Tampa. I've lived in Uptown and Oak Park, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Rising rent and home prices
3. The cultural scene situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Uptown: Great for retirees. decent 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 Tampa, everything felt tough. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $70K-$120K here.
**Final verdict:**
Happy to answer more specific 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.
8 upvotes
Nova Diaz
My experience has been mostly positive. I love the pace of life here. The only thing I'd watch out for is school system. Other than that, It's not for everyone but it works for us..
All Countries
