Hey, I'm single, late 40s, and The median home value here is around $374,200, which seems about average. Homes are going for about $374,200 on average. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. What neighborhoods would you suggest?
39 upvotes
13 Replies
Rylee Jackson
Used to live on the Meadowbrook side, now on the Oak Park side. Completely different vibe. it's improved dramatically in recent years.
40 upvotes
Alice Hughes
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value cost of living, you'll love it. The walkability is genuinely hit or miss and I've found I'm still on the fence after all this time. My neighborhood (Pine Hills) is reasonable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Tampa, be prepared for the culture shock. school system is completely different here. And Rising rent and home prices.
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.
40 upvotes
Jacob A.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 4 years ago from Miami and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Westside. It's excellent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in retail. If you're in construction you might struggle.
People: Generally improving. It took about 12 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: challenging. Tons of options if you like Mediterranean.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
34 upvotes
Eliana Wright
I've lived in Highland for about 15 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's improved dramatically in recent years. When I first moved here from Minneapolis, I was surprised by cultural scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Four distinct seasons
- The housing market scene is excellent
The downsides:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Homeless population growing downtown
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for young professionals. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
34 upvotes
Allison
couldn't agree more
25 upvotes
Thomas Patel
We moved here with our family and I genuinely enjoy living here. Schools in East area are excellent. Kids love it here.
22 upvotes
Logan Foster
bump
18 upvotes
Avery Williams
been saying this for years
17 upvotes
John Cooper
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 12 years ago from San Francisco and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in East. It's underrated for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in healthcare. If you're in healthcare you might struggle.
People: Generally decent. It took about 3 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: surprisingly good. Tons of options if you like craft beer.
Hope this helps!.
16 upvotes
Theodore Taylor
great question, following
12 upvotes
Melanie Lopez
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a social worker who relocated here from Chicago about 12 years ago. The main reasons were family and quality of life.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good healthcare facilities
- Decent public transit for the size
- Good airport with direct flights
Cons that are real:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Limited high-paying job options
Financially, we've found it tough compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are reasonable, gas is improving.
Socially, it's not perfect but it works for me. No regrets on my end..
4 upvotes
Lucy Morales
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 6 years ago from Chicago and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in East. It's better than expected for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in manufacturing. If you're in marketing you might struggle.
People: Generally excellent. It took about 5 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: underrated. Tons of options if you like seafood.
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