First post here. We're a young couple and Homes are going for about $744,300 on average. Median household income is $71,029, which feels about average for the area. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Anyone in a similar situation? The food scene here is surprisingly good.
7 upvotes
17 Replies
Elizabeth S.
Came here for a fresh start and stayed because I love the pace of life here. The cost of living is honestly average and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
37 upvotes
Isabella Long
Saving this thread
36 upvotes
local_scarlett71
Came here for work and stayed because it's improved dramatically in recent years. The community vibe is honestly underrated and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
34 upvotes
Clara C.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 1 years ago from Atlanta and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Oak Park. It's excellent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in healthcare. If you're in legal you might struggle.
People: Generally pretty good. It took about 12 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: surprisingly good. Tons of options if you like craft beer.
Definitely worth checking out..
30 upvotes
Asher Parker
Saving this thread
28 upvotes
Eva
yep
25 upvotes
Violet Torres
great question, following
23 upvotes
Jacob A.
facts
23 upvotes
Riley Miller
couldn't agree more
19 upvotes
Eleanor Ward
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's improved dramatically in recent years. Happy to answer more specific questions..
13 upvotes
Anna
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 4 years ago from Houston and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Riverside. It's surprisingly good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in retail. If you're in hospitality you might struggle.
People: Generally excellent. It took about 15 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: solid. Tons of options if you like Southern.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
13 upvotes
bella_local
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a project manager who relocated here from Phoenix about 12 years ago. The main reasons were a job opportunity and school.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good healthcare facilities
- Strong job market in several industries
- Diverse dining options
Cons that are real:
- Can feel isolated
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Financially, we've found it better than expected compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are wild, gas is better than expected.
Socially, I'm still on the fence after all this time. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
12 upvotes
cool_kinsley19
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Uptown for 6 years. Moved from Houston for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is tough. We bought in 2022 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
education is strong here. government is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are wild for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's exactly what I was looking for. The outdoor scene is excellent - 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. Uptown 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. Limited high-paying job options. Property taxes are high. And housing market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 7/10. Hope this helps!. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
11 upvotes
nyc_henry
accurate
9 upvotes
Eva R.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 4 years ago from San Diego and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Greenfield. It's improving for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in finance. If you're in government you might struggle.
People: Generally surprisingly good. It took about 16 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: better than expected. Tons of options if you like Asian.
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