Anyone else feel this way? We have two kids and Rent is about $2,356/month for a decent place. The median home value here is around $990,100, which is pretty steep. The unemployment rate is 2.6%, which is pretty low. Median household income is $124,632, which feels pretty solid for the area. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much.
20 upvotes
15 Replies
Ruby Ruiz
Moved here last year, no regrets.
40 upvotes
Zoe
bump
35 upvotes
everett_heart
interesting, hadn't considered that
34 upvotes
Emma D.
haha yep pretty much
32 upvotes
Santiago
Came here for a job opportunity and stayed because it's exactly what I was looking for. The public transit is honestly pretty good and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
30 upvotes
Mateo Edwards
My experience has been mostly positive. it's not perfect but it works for me. The only thing I'd watch out for is healthcare. Other than that, Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
27 upvotes
Christian Ward
yeah no that's not right
27 upvotes
Gabriel Morgan
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are solid, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
19 upvotes
Leo J.
This.
10 upvotes
Emma Martinez
+1
5 upvotes
Emily Clark
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Internet is average in most areas.
5 upvotes
Riley Chavez
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 6 years ago from Pittsburgh and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in South. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in real estate. If you're in finance you might struggle.
People: Generally solid. It took about 3 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: pretty good. Tons of options if you like BBQ.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
4 upvotes
dc_jose
interesting, hadn't considered that
3 upvotes
Jordan Richardson
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a social worker, 48, moved here 10 years ago from Atlanta. I've lived in Oak Park and South, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good airport with direct flights
2. Diverse dining options
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. Chain restaurants dominate
2. Dating scene is rough
3. The housing market situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Oak Park: Great for remote workers. pretty good vibes, walkable.
- South: 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 Atlanta, everything felt hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $80K-$150K 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.
1 upvotes
Allison T.
Public transit is decent here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's not perfect but it works for me.
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