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Elizabeth
living
Katy is underrated, change my mind
Hi all, Would love some local perspective. I'd say it's better for families than young singles.
9 upvotes
13 Replies
Arianna Mendoza
Used to live on the Uptown side, now on the Oak Park side. Completely different vibe. the quality of life is solid.
35 upvotes
urban_alice55
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a pharmacist, 26, moved here 7 years ago from Boston. I've lived in Riverside and Fairview, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Growing food and restaurant scene
3. Decent public transit for the size
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Rising rent and home prices
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The public transit situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Riverside: Great for families. decent 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 tough. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $60K-$90K here.
**Final verdict:**
Hope this helps!. 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.
Background: I'm a pharmacist, 26, moved here 7 years ago from Boston. I've lived in Riverside and Fairview, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Growing food and restaurant scene
3. Decent public transit for the size
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Rising rent and home prices
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The public transit situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Riverside: Great for families. decent 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 tough. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $60K-$90K here.
**Final verdict:**
Hope this helps!. 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.
35 upvotes
Reagan S.
Hot take but it's been a really good experience overall. I know a lot of people disagree but after 5 years here, that's my honest assessment.
34 upvotes
Mia Brown
I've lived in Riverside for about 4 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's been a really good experience overall. When I first moved here from Salt Lake City, I was surprised by housing market. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Strong job market in several industries
- Four distinct seasons
- The safety scene is pretty good
The downsides:
- Limited public transit options
- Property taxes are high
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for couples. Happy to answer more specific questions..
it's been a really good experience overall. When I first moved here from Salt Lake City, I was surprised by housing market. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Strong job market in several industries
- Four distinct seasons
- The safety scene is pretty good
The downsides:
- Limited public transit options
- Property taxes are high
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for couples. Happy to answer more specific questions..
28 upvotes
Austin M.
Used to live on the The Heights side, now on the Eastside side. Completely different vibe. it's improved dramatically in recent years.
27 upvotes
Sophia A.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Fairview for 8 years. Moved from Minneapolis for family. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is excellent. We bought in 2015 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. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
finance is strong here. marketing 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:**
the quality of life is solid. The outdoor scene is improving - we have state parks within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Fairview schools are tough. 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. Nightlife is limited. Limited entertainment options. And nightlife can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 9/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
I've been in Fairview for 8 years. Moved from Minneapolis for family. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is excellent. We bought in 2015 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. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
finance is strong here. marketing 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:**
the quality of life is solid. The outdoor scene is improving - we have state parks within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Fairview schools are tough. 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. Nightlife is limited. Limited entertainment options. And nightlife can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 9/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
21 upvotes
Robert Garcia
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is cost of living. it's exactly what I was looking for. Worth doing your research before committing.
16 upvotes
Ethan R.
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 3-bedroom. it's been a really good experience overall. Compared to Portland it's surprisingly good.
10 upvotes
Joshua Martin
it depends on the neighborhood
9 upvotes
Caleb Diaz
Moved here last year, no regrets.
8 upvotes
Isaiah Price
glad someone said it
8 upvotes
Emily M.
as a local I can confirm
2 upvotes
Miles Long
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a real estate agent who relocated here from Tampa about 6 years ago. The main reasons were family and school.
Pros I've experienced:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Good healthcare facilities
- Close to major attractions
Cons that are real:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Not very walkable outside downtown
Financially, we've found it underrated compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are pricey, gas is solid.
Socially, it was the best decision I ever made. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
I'm a real estate agent who relocated here from Tampa about 6 years ago. The main reasons were family and school.
Pros I've experienced:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Good healthcare facilities
- Close to major attractions
Cons that are real:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Not very walkable outside downtown
Financially, we've found it underrated compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are pricey, gas is solid.
Socially, it was the best decision I ever made. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
0 upvotes