Longtime lurker here, Poverty rate is 21.7%, which is higher than I expected. Average temperature is around 62--F, so the weather is moderate. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. The weather takes some getting used to. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Property taxes are high but you get good services. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting.
8 upvotes
11 Replies
Connor D.
Bought a house here in 2023 and it exceeded my expectations. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
30 upvotes
Olivia B.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem better than expected.
I've been here 7 years and it's exactly what I was looking for. The thing nobody mentions is school system. It's affordable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the safety is legit. And if you're into kayaking, this place is better than expected.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Westside side vs the Cedar Grove side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
No regrets on my end..
29 upvotes
Hunter F.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want traffic, then yeah this place is great. But if dating scene matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
28 upvotes
Pamela H.
this is the way
23 upvotes
Eva
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a teacher, 28, moved here 5 years ago from San Francisco. I've lived in Pine Hills and East, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Limited high-paying job options
3. The outdoor recreation situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Pine Hills: Great for singles. hit or miss vibes, walkable.
- East: 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 San Francisco, everything felt decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $80K-$110K 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.
22 upvotes
Benjamin N.
Moved here from Denver about 1 years ago. I love the pace of life here. Still getting used to traffic but Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
20 upvotes
Sophia Williams
Came here for retirement and stayed because I genuinely enjoy living here. The housing market is honestly pretty good and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
7 upvotes
Emily Kelly
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 3 years ago from Minneapolis and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Midtown. It's better than expected for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in real estate. If you're in finance you might struggle.
People: Generally tough. It took about 5 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: underrated. Tons of options if you like BBQ.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
7 upvotes
Gerald Y.
Bought a house here in 2024 and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
6 upvotes
Santiago Scott
Public transit is excellent here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's been a really good experience overall.
2 upvotes
Jose Ross
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a marketing manager, 45, moved here 9 years ago from San Francisco. I've lived in Oak Park and North, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Nice parks and green spaces
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Lots of new development happening
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited shopping options
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The traffic situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Oak Park: Great for couples. better than expected vibes, walkable.
- North: 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 San Francisco, everything felt excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $100K-$80K here.
**Final verdict:**
Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. 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.
All Countries
