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Katherine Peterson
jobs
Is Independence worth it salary-wise?
Not sure if this has been asked before, but With a population of 122K, Independence is a mid-size city.
45 upvotes
29 Replies
Brooklyn
100%
40 upvotes
Daniel
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is outdoor recreation. it's been a really good experience overall. Worth doing your research before committing.
39 upvotes
Theodore Scott
I've lived in Lakewood for about 4 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's improved dramatically in recent years. When I first moved here from Houston, I was surprised by cultural scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Strong job market in several industries
- The weather scene is decent
The downsides:
- Property taxes are high
- Chain restaurants dominate
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for singles. Happy to answer more specific questions..
it's improved dramatically in recent years. When I first moved here from Houston, I was surprised by cultural scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Strong job market in several industries
- The weather scene is decent
The downsides:
- Property taxes are high
- Chain restaurants dominate
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for singles. Happy to answer more specific questions..
37 upvotes
Kevin M.
I've been living here for 10 years and I'd say the quality of life is solid. The food scene is better than expected compared to other places I've lived. Overall No regrets on my end..
33 upvotes
Naomi Morris
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a nurse, 26, moved here 11 years ago from Austin. I've lived in Midtown and Westside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Lots of new development happening
2. Diverse dining options
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally solid - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Urban sprawl is real
2. Property taxes are high
3. The safety situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Midtown: Great for singles. solid vibes, walkable.
- Westside: 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 Austin, everything felt improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $70K-$70K here.
**Final verdict:**
No regrets on my end.. 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.
Background: I'm a nurse, 26, moved here 11 years ago from Austin. I've lived in Midtown and Westside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Lots of new development happening
2. Diverse dining options
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally solid - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Urban sprawl is real
2. Property taxes are high
3. The safety situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Midtown: Great for singles. solid vibes, walkable.
- Westside: 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 Austin, everything felt improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $70K-$70K here.
**Final verdict:**
No regrets on my end.. 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.
32 upvotes
Adam Hall
The food scene here is solid. Tons of great craft beer places. it was the best decision I ever made.
29 upvotes
George K.
I've lived in Oak Park for about 7 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's been a really good experience overall. When I first moved here from Chicago, I was surprised by dating scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- The dating scene scene is decent
The downsides:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Nightlife is limited
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for couples. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
it's been a really good experience overall. When I first moved here from Chicago, I was surprised by dating scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- The dating scene scene is decent
The downsides:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Nightlife is limited
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for couples. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
28 upvotes
Nicholas M.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Westside for 5 years. Moved from Baltimore for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is hit or miss. We bought in 2015 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
engineering is strong here. finance is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are established for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it exceeded my expectations. The outdoor scene is tough - we have ski resorts within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Westside schools are hit or miss. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.
**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Traffic during rush hour is rough. Homeless population growing downtown. And pet-friendliness can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 9/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
I've been in Westside for 5 years. Moved from Baltimore for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is hit or miss. We bought in 2015 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
engineering is strong here. finance is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are established for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it exceeded my expectations. The outdoor scene is tough - we have ski resorts within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Westside schools are hit or miss. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.
**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Traffic during rush hour is rough. Homeless population growing downtown. And pet-friendliness can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 9/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
28 upvotes
Hailey
The food scene here is average. Tons of great Mexican places. it's improved dramatically in recent years.
27 upvotes
Sadie Watson
Moved here from Baltimore about 4 years ago. it's not perfect but it works for me. Still getting used to dating scene but Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
26 upvotes
Jonathan P.
accurate
25 upvotes
chill_aaron49
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a real estate agent who relocated here from New York about 11 years ago. The main reasons were weather and a job opportunity.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Decent public transit for the size
- Active local events and festivals
Cons that are real:
- Can feel isolated
- Dating scene is rough
Financially, we've found it pretty good compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are manageable, gas is average.
Socially, it's improved dramatically in recent years. Happy to answer more specific questions..
I'm a real estate agent who relocated here from New York about 11 years ago. The main reasons were weather and a job opportunity.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Decent public transit for the size
- Active local events and festivals
Cons that are real:
- Can feel isolated
- Dating scene is rough
Financially, we've found it pretty good compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are manageable, gas is average.
Socially, it's improved dramatically in recent years. Happy to answer more specific questions..
24 upvotes
Joseph A.
Bought a house here in 2024 and I love the pace of life here. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
23 upvotes
Vincent S.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a social worker who relocated here from Minneapolis about 8 years ago. The main reasons were quality of life and quality of life.
Pros I've experienced:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Decent public transit for the size
- Diverse dining options
Cons that are real:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Far from beaches/mountains
Financially, we've found it underrated compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are manageable, gas is solid.
Socially, it's exactly what I was looking for. No regrets on my end..
I'm a social worker who relocated here from Minneapolis about 8 years ago. The main reasons were quality of life and quality of life.
Pros I've experienced:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Decent public transit for the size
- Diverse dining options
Cons that are real:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Far from beaches/mountains
Financially, we've found it underrated compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are manageable, gas is solid.
Socially, it's exactly what I was looking for. No regrets on my end..
22 upvotes
Sarah
Moved here from Portland about 4 years ago. the quality of life is solid. Still getting used to traffic but Hope this helps!.
20 upvotes
Reagan Clark
wish I knew this sooner
19 upvotes
Aubrey Turner
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are decent, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
11 upvotes
Luke Ruiz
Came here for work and stayed because the quality of life is solid. The housing market is honestly hit or miss and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
11 upvotes
Emma
same here
9 upvotes
Levi Martin
yep
8 upvotes
Chloe K.
I work in tech here and the quality of life is solid. The job market for my field is surprisingly good. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
8 upvotes
Oliver Baker
preach
8 upvotes
Savannah Sanchez
haha yep pretty much
7 upvotes
Zoey Chavez
I'm a teacher and I've found it's not perfect but it works for me. The community is excellent and there's always something going on.
7 upvotes
Adam Hernandez
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 13 years ago from Houston and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Uptown. It's solid for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in consulting. If you're in tech you might struggle.
People: Generally average. It took about 7 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: pretty good. Tons of options if you like Mediterranean.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Uptown. It's solid for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in consulting. If you're in tech you might struggle.
People: Generally average. It took about 7 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: pretty good. Tons of options if you like Mediterranean.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
6 upvotes
Leonardo Anderson
yep
5 upvotes
James Moore
Hot take but it's not perfect but it works for me. I know a lot of people disagree but after 15 years here, that's my honest assessment.
4 upvotes
Autumn Ruiz
it depends on the neighborhood
2 upvotes
Hunter M.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a chef, 31, moved here 9 years ago from Tampa. I've lived in Downtown and Riverside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Nice parks and green spaces
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Limited high-paying job options
3. The walkability situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Downtown: Great for retirees. underrated vibes, walkable.
- Riverside: 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 improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $90K-$70K here.
**Final verdict:**
It's not for everyone but it works for us.. 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.
Background: I'm a chef, 31, moved here 9 years ago from Tampa. I've lived in Downtown and Riverside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Nice parks and green spaces
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Limited high-paying job options
3. The walkability situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Downtown: Great for retirees. underrated vibes, walkable.
- Riverside: 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 improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $90K-$70K here.
**Final verdict:**
It's not for everyone but it works for us.. 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.
1 upvotes