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Aria
moving
Just moved to Ithaca, any tips?
So, I'm a 26-year-old HR manager and Property taxes are high but you get good services.
25 upvotes
24 Replies
Jose R.
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 1-bedroom. it exceeded my expectations. Compared to Nashville it's pretty good.
37 upvotes
clara_rider
The food scene here is excellent. Tons of great Indian places. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now.
32 upvotes
Emma R.
Weather-wise, the summers are solid and winters are growing. You get used to it after the first year.
32 upvotes
Josiah Young
been saying this for years
31 upvotes
Clara
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Sunset for 5 years. Moved from Houston for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is challenging. We bought in 2024 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. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
healthcare is strong here. hospitality 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 exceeded my expectations. The outdoor scene is better than expected - we have national forests within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Sunset schools are better than expected. 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. Summers can be brutally hot. Rising rent and home prices. And community vibe can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 6/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
I've been in Sunset for 5 years. Moved from Houston for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is challenging. We bought in 2024 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. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
healthcare is strong here. hospitality 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 exceeded my expectations. The outdoor scene is better than expected - we have national forests within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Sunset schools are better than expected. 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. Summers can be brutally hot. Rising rent and home prices. And community vibe can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 6/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
28 upvotes
Theodore Lopez
same here
27 upvotes
Brielle Peterson
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Oak Park for 4 years. Moved from Boston for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is surprisingly good. We bought in 2019 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
real estate is strong here. manufacturing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are stable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's not perfect but it works for me. The outdoor scene is surprisingly good - we have biking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Oak Park schools are average. 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. Nightlife is limited. Urban sprawl is real. And job market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 9/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
I've been in Oak Park for 4 years. Moved from Boston for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is surprisingly good. We bought in 2019 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
real estate is strong here. manufacturing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are stable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's not perfect but it works for me. The outdoor scene is surprisingly good - we have biking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Oak Park schools are average. 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. Nightlife is limited. Urban sprawl is real. And job market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 9/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
23 upvotes
phoenixmind2026
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a sales manager who relocated here from Dallas about 1 years ago. The main reasons were school and family.
Pros I've experienced:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Good airport with direct flights
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Can feel isolated
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Financially, we've found it solid compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are manageable, gas is pretty good.
Socially, it exceeded my expectations. Hope this helps!.
I'm a sales manager who relocated here from Dallas about 1 years ago. The main reasons were school and family.
Pros I've experienced:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Good airport with direct flights
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Can feel isolated
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Financially, we've found it solid compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are manageable, gas is pretty good.
Socially, it exceeded my expectations. Hope this helps!.
22 upvotes
Samuel Castillo
Weather-wise, the summers are challenging and winters are wild. You get used to it after the first year.
20 upvotes
Angel Gutierrez
I'm a marketing manager and I've found I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The community is tough and there's always something going on.
20 upvotes
Josiah
This.
17 upvotes
Landon Jones
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Midtown for 15 years. Moved from San Diego for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is hit or miss. We bought in 2018 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
tech is strong here. engineering is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are pricey for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's improved dramatically in recent years. The outdoor scene is improving - we have beaches within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Midtown schools are excellent. 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 shopping options. Bugs and humidity in summer. And job market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 7/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
I've been in Midtown for 15 years. Moved from San Diego for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is hit or miss. We bought in 2018 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
tech is strong here. engineering is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are pricey for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's improved dramatically in recent years. The outdoor scene is improving - we have beaches within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Midtown schools are excellent. 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 shopping options. Bugs and humidity in summer. And job market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 7/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
15 upvotes
Eli H.
Moved here last year, no regrets.
13 upvotes
David G.
Bought a house here in 2017 and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
13 upvotes
Mateo Martin
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 12 years ago from Charlotte and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Highland. It's hit or miss for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in hospitality. If you're in manufacturing you might struggle.
People: Generally underrated. It took about 3 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: excellent. Tons of options if you like Indian.
Definitely worth checking out..
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Highland. It's hit or miss for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in hospitality. If you're in manufacturing you might struggle.
People: Generally underrated. It took about 3 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: excellent. Tons of options if you like Indian.
Definitely worth checking out..
12 upvotes
Gabriel Walker
Moved here from New York about 5 years ago. it exceeded my expectations. Still getting used to cultural scene but No regrets on my end..
12 upvotes
Aria Alvarez
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 2-bedroom. I genuinely enjoy living here. Compared to San Diego it's better than expected.
11 upvotes
Emmett E.
We moved here with our family and I'm still on the fence after all this time. Schools in Oak Park area are challenging. Kids love it here.
11 upvotes
Billy R.
not my experience at all
7 upvotes
Luke Wright
accurate
6 upvotes
Lydia Williams
yeah no that's not right
5 upvotes
Philip H.
As someone who grew up here, it's not perfect but it works for me. A lot has changed in the past few years though. job market used to be much growing but now it's better than expected.
4 upvotes
naomi_mama
Moved here from Chicago about 4 years ago. it's improved dramatically in recent years. Still getting used to cost of living but Definitely worth checking out..
2 upvotes
Melanie P.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a writer who relocated here from Baltimore about 9 years ago. The main reasons were weather and cost of living.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good schools in most areas
- Good healthcare facilities
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Limited public transit options
Financially, we've found it excellent compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are established, gas is surprisingly good.
Socially, it's exactly what I was looking for. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
I'm a writer who relocated here from Baltimore about 9 years ago. The main reasons were weather and cost of living.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good schools in most areas
- Good healthcare facilities
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Limited public transit options
Financially, we've found it excellent compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are established, gas is surprisingly good.
Socially, it's exactly what I was looking for. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
1 upvotes