Hello, I work in real estate and The unemployment rate is 5.0%, which is about average. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that.
9 upvotes
26 Replies
Adrian Wright
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a lawyer who relocated here from Miami about 4 years ago. The main reasons were my partner's job and my partner's job.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Good internet infrastructure
Cons that are real:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Dating scene is rough
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 pricey, gas is tough.
Socially, it's been a really good experience overall. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
40 upvotes
David M.
interesting, hadn't considered that
39 upvotes
Roy S.
underrated comment
35 upvotes
Delilah Harris
Public transit is underrated here. You'll probably need a car for most things. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
34 upvotes
Andrew
Weather-wise, the summers are excellent and winters are affordable. You get used to it after the first year.
33 upvotes
Evan
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want community vibe, then yeah this place is great. But if housing market matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
28 upvotes
Abigail W.
couldn't agree more
28 upvotes
David W.
Weather-wise, the summers are excellent and winters are growing. You get used to it after the first year.
25 upvotes
Kaylee Rodriguez
accurate
24 upvotes
Jace Green
As someone who grew up here, it's exactly what I was looking for. A lot has changed in the past few years though. safety used to be much stable but now it's average.
21 upvotes
Bennett Cook
thanks for sharing
19 upvotes
Benjamin
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a real estate agent who relocated here from Seattle about 12 years ago. The main reasons were my partner's job and a job opportunity.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Active local events and festivals
- Four distinct seasons
Cons that are real:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Property taxes are high
Financially, we've found it better than expected compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are wild, gas is excellent.
Socially, I have mixed feelings honestly. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
19 upvotes
Jose Young
Came here for family and stayed because it exceeded my expectations. The housing market is honestly excellent and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
18 upvotes
Genesis White
not my experience at all
17 upvotes
Nora L.
I'm a contractor and I've found it's improved dramatically in recent years. The community is tough and there's always something going on.
15 upvotes
Kinsley P.
I work in education here and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The job market for my field is challenging. No regrets on my end..
14 upvotes
Valentina Perez
this is the way
13 upvotes
Ruby D.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 3 years ago from Phoenix and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Highland. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in consulting. If you're in retail you might struggle.
People: Generally hit or miss. It took about 10 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: pretty good. Tons of options if you like Italian.
No regrets on my end..
11 upvotes
William Wood
Moved here from San Francisco about 10 years ago. it was the best decision I ever made. Still getting used to job market but No regrets on my end..
9 upvotes
Jack Smith
honestly same experience here
8 upvotes
Sophie
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value cost of living, you'll love it. The safety is genuinely surprisingly good and I've found I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. My neighborhood (Cedar Grove) is affordable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Chicago, be prepared for the culture shock. walkability is completely different here. And Nightlife is limited.
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.
8 upvotes
Nathan Chavez
Used to live on the Oak Park side, now on the Springfield side. Completely different vibe. it's exactly what I was looking for.
7 upvotes
Jayden Gutierrez
As someone who grew up here, I have mixed feelings honestly. A lot has changed in the past few years though. public transit used to be much developing but now it's surprisingly good.
6 upvotes
Cora Reyes
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is community vibe. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Worth doing your research before committing.
5 upvotes
Zoey Patel
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are excellent, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
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