Hey, I'm single, late 40s, and With a population of 150K, Joliet is a mid-size city. It's a a mid-size city city with about 150K people. Rent is about $1,237/month for a decent place. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The city has invested a lot in new development. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. It's changing fast — some good, some not so much. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. It's changing fast — some good, some not so much. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The suburbs are where most families end up. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus.
15 upvotes
4 Replies
John Reed
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 14 years ago from Minneapolis and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in North. It's hit or miss for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in tech. If you're in government you might struggle.
People: Generally improving. It took about 17 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: better than expected. Tons of options if you like sushi.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
10 upvotes
Luca
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a accountant, 29, moved here 9 years ago from Dallas. I've lived in Maple Ridge and North, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Decent public transit for the size
2. Lots of new development happening
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally solid - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Nightlife is limited
3. The outdoor recreation situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Maple Ridge: Great for remote workers. average vibes, walkable.
- North: 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 Dallas, everything felt excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $70K-$90K here.
**Final verdict:**
Would recommend to anyone considering it.. 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
Stella Morris
following this thread
2 upvotes
Amelia Nguyen
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem improving.
I've been here 10 years and it's improved dramatically in recent years. The thing nobody mentions is cost of living. It's wild and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the weather is legit. And if you're into rock climbing, this place is improving.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Meadowbrook side vs the Highland side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
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