Random thought, I grew up here but left for a while. The unemployment rate is 4.4%, which is about average. Homes are going for about $235,200 on average. The suburbs are where most families end up. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Anyone in a similar situation? The city has invested a lot in new development. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The suburbs are where most families end up. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. The weather takes some getting used to. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The suburbs are where most families end up.
1 upvotes
9 Replies
Jackson Morales
lol so true
36 upvotes
Joshua Long
noted, appreciate it
30 upvotes
indy_peyton
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 2-bedroom. it's been a really good experience overall. Compared to Baltimore it's decent.
29 upvotes
Wesley Castillo
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a HR manager, 30, moved here 4 years ago from Boston. I've lived in Springfield and Fairview, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Lots of new development happening
3. Good internet infrastructure
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Not very walkable outside downtown
3. The public transit situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Springfield: Great for families. pretty good vibes, walkable.
- Fairview: 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 Boston, everything felt hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $70K-$140K here.
**Final verdict:**
Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. 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.
29 upvotes
James W.
Public transit is better than expected here. You'll probably need a car for most things. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
24 upvotes
Kai Edwards
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem challenging.
I've been here 13 years and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The thing nobody mentions is healthcare. It's established and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the outdoor recreation is legit. And if you're into mountain biking, this place is better than expected.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Oak Park side vs the Westside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
10 upvotes
Daniel S.
good to know, thanks
9 upvotes
Aria Sanders
The food scene here is better than expected. Tons of great craft beer places. it's been a really good experience overall.
8 upvotes
Ruby Ruiz
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a lawyer, 37, moved here 4 years ago from Austin. I've lived in Oak Park and Uptown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Growing food and restaurant scene
3. Nice parks and green spaces
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Road conditions need improvement
2. Limited shopping options
3. The outdoor recreation situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Oak Park: Great for couples. surprisingly good vibes, walkable.
- Uptown: 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 Austin, everything felt underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $90K-$120K here.
**Final verdict:**
Happy to answer more specific questions.. 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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