Random thought, I'm a remote worker and Rent is about $810/month for a decent place. Homes are going for about $93,700 on average. You can expect to pay around $810 for rent here. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The suburbs are where most families end up. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The suburbs are where most families end up. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The food scene here is surprisingly good. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. The weather takes some getting used to. The weather takes some getting used to. The suburbs are where most families end up. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. The food scene here is surprisingly good.
13 upvotes
13 Replies
Aurora Sanders
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I love the pace of life here. Internet is average in most areas.
40 upvotes
Melanie C.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a chef, 29, moved here 12 years ago from Miami. I've lived in Meadowbrook and Riverside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Chain restaurants dominate
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The community vibe situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Meadowbrook: Great for couples. pretty good vibes, walkable.
- Riverside: 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 Miami, everything felt tough. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $40K-$90K here.
**Final verdict:**
Good luck with whatever you decide.. 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.
30 upvotes
Julian B.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I genuinely enjoy living here. Internet is hit or miss in most areas.
26 upvotes
Hunter Robinson
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are tough, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
26 upvotes
Michael Hernandez
I've been living here for 12 years and I'd say it's exactly what I was looking for. The school system is hit or miss compared to other places I've lived. Overall Would recommend to anyone considering it..
17 upvotes
Clara Turner
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem hit or miss.
I've been here 1 years and it exceeded my expectations. The thing nobody mentions is housing market. It's manageable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cost of living is legit. And if you're into camping, this place is decent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Uptown side vs the Oak Park side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
No regrets on my end..
13 upvotes
Everly J.
I've lived in Old Town for about 3 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I have mixed feelings honestly. When I first moved here from San Diego, I was surprised by housing market. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- The outdoor recreation scene is decent
The downsides:
- Chain restaurants dominate
- Limited entertainment options
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for remote workers. No regrets on my end..
12 upvotes
Jacob Martin
Moved here from Tampa about 10 years ago. it exceeded my expectations. Still getting used to school system but Happy to answer more specific questions..
11 upvotes
Michael Long
Came here for cost of living and stayed because I'm still on the fence after all this time. The walkability is honestly pretty good and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
8 upvotes
Emma R.
Weather-wise, the summers are solid and winters are pricey. You get used to it after the first year.
7 upvotes
carson_mama
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 11 years ago from New York and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Midtown. It's underrated for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in construction. If you're in healthcare you might struggle.
People: Generally solid. It took about 7 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: underrated. Tons of options if you like Vietnamese.
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