Been living here since 2011. Homes are going for about $369,300 on average. The unemployment rate is 2.6%, which is pretty low. The food scene here is surprisingly good. What are your go-to spots? It's not perfect, but the community is solid.
13 upvotes
14 Replies
Anna R.
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, the quality of life is solid. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
40 upvotes
Amy G.
bump
34 upvotes
Ethan Ward
Bought a house here in 2017 and it exceeded my expectations. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
33 upvotes
Leo M.
glad someone said it
32 upvotes
Aurora S.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 11 years ago from Portland and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Oak Park. It's improving for what you get.
Jobs: The market is manageable right now, especially in marketing. If you're in manufacturing you might struggle.
People: Generally surprisingly good. It took about 11 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: underrated. Tons of options if you like seafood.
No regrets on my end..
29 upvotes
Wyatt Nguyen
hard disagree but ok
29 upvotes
Parker Hall
Weather-wise, the summers are challenging and winters are reasonable. You get used to it after the first year.
26 upvotes
Piper
hmm interesting perspective
26 upvotes
Nolan Chavez
I work in hospitality here and it exceeded my expectations. The job market for my field is challenging. Definitely worth checking out..
26 upvotes
Josiah Castillo
We moved here with our family and I love the pace of life here. Schools in The Heights area are solid. Kids love it here.
24 upvotes
Matthew Rogers
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want traffic, then yeah this place is great. But if outdoor recreation matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
24 upvotes
Adam C.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in South for 6 years. Moved from San Francisco for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is challenging. We bought in 2019 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
engineering is strong here. engineering is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are pricey for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I genuinely enjoy living here. The outdoor scene is improving - we have rivers within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. South schools are underrated. 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. Traffic during rush hour is rough. Dating scene is rough. And job market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 7/10. Definitely worth checking out.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
23 upvotes
Victoria R.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in South for 10 years. Moved from Salt Lake City for family. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is tough. We bought in 2019 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
legal is strong here. construction is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are growing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The outdoor scene is challenging - we have mountains within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. South 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. Not very walkable outside downtown. Can feel isolated. And cultural scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 5/10. It's not for everyone but it works for us.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
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