Hey, My family moved here when I was a kid. Average temperature is around 69°F, so the weather is moderate. The unemployment rate is 3.1%, which is pretty low. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Thanks! People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The city has invested a lot in new development.
10 upvotes
30 Replies
Hannah Howard
thanks for sharing
38 upvotes
Mia C.
Moved here last year, no regrets.
37 upvotes
Mackenzie B.
yeah no that's not right
36 upvotes
Autumn Lopez
I've been living here for 15 years and I'd say it's improved dramatically in recent years. The weather is hit or miss compared to other places I've lived. Overall Feel free to reach out with questions..
36 upvotes
lanative2023
Used to live on the South side, now on the West side. Completely different vibe. I'm still on the fence after all this time.
36 upvotes
Matthew Murphy
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are solid, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
36 upvotes
Sebastian Nelson
Moved here from Atlanta about 9 years ago. I genuinely enjoy living here. Still getting used to food scene but Happy to answer more specific questions..
36 upvotes
Jack F.
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is school system. it was the best decision I ever made. Worth doing your research before committing.
34 upvotes
William Baker
Moved here last year, no regrets.
29 upvotes
Hudson
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are challenging, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
27 upvotes
Bella
good to know, thanks
27 upvotes
Joseph
same here
25 upvotes
Ian Lewis
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are pretty good, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
20 upvotes
Aubrey Cooper
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
19 upvotes
Emily Ortiz
I've lived in Uptown for about 4 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I have mixed feelings honestly. When I first moved here from Nashville, I was surprised by nightlife. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- The dating scene scene is surprisingly good
The downsides:
- Property taxes are high
- Homeless population growing downtown
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for couples. Definitely worth checking out..
18 upvotes
Ruby Torres
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's been a really good experience overall. Internet is better than expected in most areas.
13 upvotes
Aaron Watson
Hot take but I genuinely enjoy living here. I know a lot of people disagree but after 2 years here, that's my honest assessment.
12 upvotes
Sarah Kim
I've lived in Highland for about 15 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
the quality of life is solid. When I first moved here from Tampa, 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
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- The cost of living scene is improving
The downsides:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for remote workers. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
9 upvotes
Peyton Foster
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a pharmacist, 41, moved here 3 years ago from Portland. I've lived in Springfield and Oak Park, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Low crime in most neighborhoods
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Four distinct seasons
4. The people are generally solid - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Nightlife is limited
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The food scene situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Springfield: Great for retirees. challenging vibes, walkable.
- Oak Park: 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 Portland, everything felt better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $80K-$90K 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.
8 upvotes
Cameron Gray
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it exceeded my expectations. Good luck with whatever you decide..
8 upvotes
Jacob Hernandez
Saving this thread
7 upvotes
Kayla T.
facts
7 upvotes
Jayden Wilson
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a social worker who relocated here from Denver about 3 years ago. The main reasons were a fresh start and family.
Pros I've experienced:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Lots of new development happening
- Good airport with direct flights
Cons that are real:
- Limited public transit options
- Limited high-paying job options
Financially, we've found it average compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are manageable, gas is better than expected.
Socially, it's exactly what I was looking for. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
6 upvotes
tulsa_josiah
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value community vibe, you'll love it. The safety is genuinely challenging and I've found it's been a really good experience overall. My neighborhood (Maple Ridge) is reasonable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from New York, be prepared for the culture shock. walkability 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.
5 upvotes
Jaxon H.
underrated comment
4 upvotes
Skylar Scott
Public transit is average here. You'll probably need a car for most things. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
3 upvotes
Hunter Taylor
Used to live on the Fairview side, now on the The Heights side. Completely different vibe. it's improved dramatically in recent years.
2 upvotes
Olivia H.
The food scene here is excellent. Tons of great Indian places. it's not perfect but it works for me.
1 upvotes
Clara T.
facts
1 upvotes
Samuel Walker
Came here for a fresh start and stayed because it's exactly what I was looking for. The dating scene is honestly better than expected and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
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