Poverty rate is 10.9%, which is around average. Let me know your thoughts. I'd say it's better for families than young singles.
29 upvotes
13 Replies
Isabelle S.
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, the quality of life is solid. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
34 upvotes
Jose Watson
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 15 years ago from Miami and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Uptown. It's pretty good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in finance. If you're in education you might struggle.
People: Generally improving. It took about 5 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: solid. Tons of options if you like Asian.
No regrets on my end..
33 upvotes
Alexa Gray
spot on
31 upvotes
Hazel Richardson
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a accountant, 57, moved here 13 years ago from Houston. I've lived in Eastside and South, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Active local events and festivals
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited entertainment options
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The outdoor recreation situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Eastside: Great for families. average 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 Houston, everything felt improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $90K-$100K here.
**Final verdict:**
It's not for everyone but it works for us.. 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.
31 upvotes
Charlotte T.
interesting, hadn't considered that
29 upvotes
Naomi Brooks
Hot take but it's improved dramatically in recent years. I know a lot of people disagree but after 15 years here, that's my honest assessment.
28 upvotes
Aria Kelly
I've been living here for 14 years and I'd say I have mixed feelings honestly. The safety is pretty good compared to other places I've lived. Overall Would recommend to anyone considering it..
27 upvotes
James
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem surprisingly good.
I've been here 1 years and it exceeded my expectations. The thing nobody mentions is food scene. It's reasonable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the housing market is legit. And if you're into surfing, this place is surprisingly good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Fairview side vs the Oak Park side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Definitely worth checking out..
20 upvotes
Theodore Carter
I work in tech here and it's been a really good experience overall. The job market for my field is excellent. No regrets on my end..
13 upvotes
Kennedy Miller
thanks for sharing
13 upvotes
Santiago Mitchell
As someone who grew up here, it was the best decision I ever made. A lot has changed in the past few years though. dating scene used to be much reasonable but now it's improving.
3 upvotes
Sarah
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 3 years ago from Denver and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Oak Park. It's solid for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in consulting. If you're in finance you might struggle.
People: Generally surprisingly good. It took about 11 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: tough. Tons of options if you like Mediterranean.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
3 upvotes
Bryan C.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want pet-friendliness, then yeah this place is great. But if pet-friendliness matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
All Countries
