Longtime lurker here, I relocated for work and It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. The weather takes some getting used to. Has anyone dealt with this? The weather takes some getting used to. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable.
15 upvotes
12 Replies
Paisley Miller
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's improved dramatically in recent years. Internet is excellent in most areas.
37 upvotes
Bella Foster
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's not perfect but it works for me. Happy to answer more specific questions..
32 upvotes
Gabriella Hernandez
Used to live on the Riverside side, now on the Oak Park side. Completely different vibe. it's improved dramatically in recent years.
32 upvotes
Kaylee Chavez
This.
28 upvotes
Joshua Long
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want dating scene, then yeah this place is great. But if cultural scene matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
25 upvotes
phillymama2024
I've lived in Old Town for about 10 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. When I first moved here from Dallas, I was surprised by community vibe. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Lots of new development happening
- The public transit scene is surprisingly good
The downsides:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Far from beaches/mountains
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for young professionals. Definitely worth checking out..
24 upvotes
Carter R.
lol so true
23 upvotes
Zoe Carter
Used to live on the Oak Park side, now on the Downtown side. Completely different vibe. it's not perfect but it works for me.
15 upvotes
living_aiden31
I've been living here for 12 years and I'd say the quality of life is solid. The walkability is better than expected compared to other places I've lived. Overall Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
14 upvotes
Aurora Allen
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are average, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
11 upvotes
John B.
Moved here from Miami about 6 years ago. I have mixed feelings honestly. Still getting used to dating scene but Definitely worth checking out..
11 upvotes
Lydia P.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a HR manager, 42, moved here 2 years ago from Denver. I've lived in Westside and Eastside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Close to major attractions
2. Strong sense of community
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Urban sprawl is real
3. The cost of living situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Westside: Great for retirees. tough vibes, walkable.
- Eastside: 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 Denver, everything felt improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $40K-$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.
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