So, You can expect to pay around $1,237 for rent here. Household incomes average around $88,026 in Joliet. With a population of 150K, Joliet is a mid-size city. Homes are going for about $248,600 on average. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Any advice would be great. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The food scene here is surprisingly good. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. The suburbs are where most families end up. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting.
18 upvotes
8 Replies
Brooklyn C.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Westside for 2 years. Moved from Boston for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is tough. We bought in 2018 at k and it's now worth down slightly 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:**
engineering is strong here. consulting is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are competitive for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I'm still on the fence after all this time. The outdoor scene is improving - 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. Westside 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. Traffic during rush hour is rough. Road conditions need improvement. And safety can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 8/10. Would recommend to anyone considering it.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
37 upvotes
Jacob Thomas
great question, following
32 upvotes
Isla Perez
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Internet is underrated in most areas.
13 upvotes
Ezekiel Brooks
As someone who grew up here, I have mixed feelings honestly. A lot has changed in the past few years though. housing market used to be much affordable but now it's underrated.
8 upvotes
Addison M.
as a local I can confirm
7 upvotes
Adeline
Hot take but I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. I know a lot of people disagree but after 2 years here, that's my honest assessment.
5 upvotes
sfguy2026
same here
5 upvotes
Kinsley M.
I work in engineering here and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The job market for my field is surprisingly good. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
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