Hey folks, I grew up here but left for a while. The unemployment rate is 3.5%, which is pretty low. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Worth the trade-offs? Night life is decent if you know the right spots. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly.
0 upvotes
4 Replies
Cameron Kelly
My experience has been mostly positive. the quality of life is solid. The only thing I'd watch out for is safety. Other than that, Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
37 upvotes
cool_autumn83
My experience has been mostly positive. it's exactly what I was looking for. The only thing I'd watch out for is weather. Other than that, It's not for everyone but it works for us..
36 upvotes
Alexa
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a chef who relocated here from Miami about 5 years ago. The main reasons were retirement and quality of life.
Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Can feel isolated
Financially, we've found it improving compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are pricey, gas is surprisingly good.
Socially, I have mixed feelings honestly. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
35 upvotes
Lisa B.
Used to live on the Oak Park side, now on the Lakewood side. Completely different vibe. it's improved dramatically in recent years.
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