OK so Household incomes average around $92,344 in Home Gardens. Average temperature is around 66--F, so the weather is moderate. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse.
6 upvotes
13 Replies
Adrian Cruz
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value cultural scene, you'll love it. The cost of living is genuinely pretty good and I've found I have mixed feelings honestly. My neighborhood (Riverside) is established and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Nashville, be prepared for the culture shock. cost of living is completely different here. And Not very walkable outside downtown.
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
Aiden Wright
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want dating scene, then yeah this place is great. But if safety matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
39 upvotes
urban_avery84
yep
39 upvotes
Parker T.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a HR manager who relocated here from Seattle about 3 years ago. The main reasons were weather and retirement.
Pros I've experienced:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Good healthcare facilities
- Good internet infrastructure
Cons that are real:
- Homeless population growing downtown
- Far from beaches/mountains
Financially, we've found it better than expected compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are growing, gas is surprisingly good.
Socially, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. No regrets on my end..
38 upvotes
William M.
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is walkability. I genuinely enjoy living here. Worth doing your research before committing.
28 upvotes
Michael Richardson
haha yep pretty much
28 upvotes
Everly Gray
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 7 years ago from Boston and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Oak Park. It's tough for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in education. If you're in consulting you might struggle.
People: Generally average. It took about 9 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: pretty good. Tons of options if you like Italian.
Hope this helps!.
28 upvotes
jaxkid2025
Came here for weather and stayed because it exceeded my expectations. The cost of living is honestly tough and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
24 upvotes
Lily Richardson
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a physical therapist who relocated here from Pittsburgh about 7 years ago. The main reasons were school and work.
Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Strong job market in several industries
Cons that are real:
- Nightlife is limited
- Dating scene is rough
Financially, we've found it decent compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are pricey, gas is pretty good.
Socially, I genuinely enjoy living here. Definitely worth checking out..
24 upvotes
Autumn Allen
Came here for work and stayed because there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The walkability is honestly excellent and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
18 upvotes
Kyle B.
been saying this for years
17 upvotes
Sadie Allen
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 13 years ago from Boston and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Oak Park. It's improving for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in engineering. If you're in tech you might struggle.
People: Generally hit or miss. It took about 6 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: decent. Tons of options if you like BBQ.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
5 upvotes
Julian Watson
I've been living here for 9 years and I'd say it's improved dramatically in recent years. The school system is surprisingly good compared to other places I've lived. Overall Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
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