Hey, My family moved here when I was a kid. You can expect to pay around $977 for rent here. Homes are going for about $196,600 on average. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The weather takes some getting used to. What neighborhoods would you suggest? It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The weather takes some getting used to. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. The weather takes some getting used to. The suburbs are where most families end up. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. The city has invested a lot in new development. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The city has invested a lot in new development. The weather takes some getting used to. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods.
18 upvotes
6 Replies
Jeremiah Ramirez
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 9 years ago from Salt Lake City 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 The Heights. It's hit or miss for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in hospitality. If you're in retail you might struggle.
People: Generally tough. It took about 10 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: average. Tons of options if you like Indian.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
38 upvotes
Ellie Richardson
We moved here with our family and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Schools in Sunset area are decent. Kids love it here.
25 upvotes
Nova Collins
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a electrician who relocated here from Charlotte about 2 years ago. The main reasons were a fresh start and retirement.
Pros I've experienced:
- Decent public transit for the size
- Active local events and festivals
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Chain restaurants dominate
- Road conditions need improvement
Financially, we've found it average compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are competitive, gas is challenging.
Socially, it was the best decision I ever made. Feel free to reach out with questions..
24 upvotes
Elijah
+1
18 upvotes
Isla W.
exactly what I was thinking
13 upvotes
Hannah Ross
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem better than expected.
I've been here 5 years and it's not perfect but it works for me. The thing nobody mentions is job market. It's stable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the housing market is legit. And if you're into running, this place is better than expected.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Oak Park side vs the Old Town side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
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