Longtime lurker here, I'm single, late 20s, and You can expect to pay around $822 for rent here. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. What do you all think? Thanks for reading. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse.
5 upvotes
8 Replies
Parker C.
haha yep pretty much
33 upvotes
Gabriella Nelson
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem hit or miss.
I've been here 5 years and I genuinely enjoy living here. The thing nobody mentions is healthcare. It's stable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the traffic is legit. And if you're into mountain biking, this place is challenging.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Old Town side vs the Oak Park side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
32 upvotes
Reagan M.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in West for 1 years. Moved from Tampa for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is improving. We bought in 2019 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
marketing is strong here. government is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are reasonable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's been a really good experience overall. The outdoor scene is underrated - we have lakes within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. West schools are surprisingly good. 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. Limited public transit options. Chain restaurants dominate. And safety can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 5/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
31 upvotes
Emma Peterson
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are pretty good, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
31 upvotes
Luca Jimenez
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a physical therapist who relocated here from Baltimore about 3 years ago. The main reasons were my partner's job and cost of living.
Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Lots of new development happening
Cons that are real:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Nightlife is limited
Financially, we've found it hit or miss compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are manageable, gas is underrated.
Socially, it exceeded my expectations. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
25 upvotes
Dylan Miller
great question, following
9 upvotes
Grace
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 3-bedroom. it's not perfect but it works for me. Compared to Miami it's solid.
7 upvotes
Sharon R.
Weather-wise, the summers are excellent and winters are stable. You get used to it after the first year.
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