Hey everyone, Median household income is $90,416, which feels pretty solid for the area. Homes are going for about $537,500 on average. The food scene here is surprisingly good. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Does this match your experience?
50 upvotes
23 Replies
Lucy Roberts
Used to live on the Meadowbrook side, now on the Old Town side. Completely different vibe. it's improved dramatically in recent years.
39 upvotes
James R.
Hot take but it was the best decision I ever made. I know a lot of people disagree but after 7 years here, that's my honest assessment.
39 upvotes
Liam
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 11 years ago from Atlanta and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Greenfield. It's tough for what you get.
Jobs: The market is reasonable right now, especially in real estate. If you're in hospitality you might struggle.
People: Generally decent. It took about 3 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: challenging. Tons of options if you like Thai.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
37 upvotes
Kaylee Myers
I've been living here for 13 years and I'd say it exceeded my expectations. The housing market is average compared to other places I've lived. Overall Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
36 upvotes
Aiden Lopez
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are improving, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
35 upvotes
Ezekiel
facts
35 upvotes
Scott W.
I've been living here for 1 years and I'd say the quality of life is solid. The job market is average compared to other places I've lived. Overall Hope this helps!.
35 upvotes
nyc_evelyn
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want food scene, then yeah this place is great. But if walkability matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
33 upvotes
Caroline Mendoza
I've lived in North for about 7 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's exactly what I was looking for. When I first moved here from Chicago, I was surprised by safety. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good schools in most areas
- Lots of new development happening
- The food scene scene is challenging
The downsides:
- Nightlife is limited
- Urban sprawl is real
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for retirees. No regrets on my end..
32 upvotes
Patricia Y.
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is safety. it's not perfect but it works for me. Worth doing your research before committing.
29 upvotes
Nicholas Gutierrez
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value healthcare, you'll love it. The safety is genuinely improving and I've found the quality of life is solid. My neighborhood (Oak Park) is pricey and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from San Diego, be prepared for the culture shock. school system is completely different here. And Rising rent and home prices.
My advice would be to visit for at least a week before committing. Rent first, don't buy. And explore multiple neighborhoods - they're all different.
28 upvotes
Tyler M.
I've lived in Eastside for about 5 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 LA, I was surprised by outdoor recreation. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Close to major attractions
- The walkability scene is pretty good
The downsides:
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
- Dating scene is rough
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for singles. Feel free to reach out with questions..
27 upvotes
Jackson K.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a pharmacist who relocated here from Denver about 13 years ago. The main reasons were weather and work.
Pros I've experienced:
- Strong job market in several industries
- Active local events and festivals
- Four distinct seasons
Cons that are real:
- Limited public transit options
- Summers can be brutally hot
Financially, we've found it improving compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are manageable, gas is surprisingly good.
Socially, it's been a really good experience overall. Happy to answer more specific questions..
25 upvotes
elena_native
The food scene here is challenging. Tons of great Indian places. it was the best decision I ever made.
23 upvotes
Ella S.
I've been living here for 1 years and I'd say it's not perfect but it works for me. The pet-friendliness is solid compared to other places I've lived. Overall Definitely worth checking out..
23 upvotes
declan_life
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is weather. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Worth doing your research before committing.
14 upvotes
Jameson Torres
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I genuinely enjoy living here. No regrets on my end..
12 upvotes
Owen L.
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is job market. it was the best decision I ever made. Worth doing your research before committing.
11 upvotes
Serenity P.
seconding this
11 upvotes
Leo Diaz
facts
9 upvotes
Gabriella Roberts
interesting, hadn't considered that
5 upvotes
Dominic
noted, appreciate it
1 upvotes
Richard S.
Used to live on the Pine Hills side, now on the Cedar Grove side. Completely different vibe. it's exactly what I was looking for.
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