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Mateo P.
moving
Moving to La Grange with kids -good idea?
Been meaning to ask this. The median home value here is around $268,000, which seems about average.
9 upvotes
12 Replies
Benjamin Alvarez
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a contractor, 46, moved here 2 years ago from Boston. I've lived in Westside and Springfield, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Close to major attractions
4. The people are generally hit or miss - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Urban sprawl is real
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The housing market situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Westside: Great for retirees. solid vibes, walkable.
- Springfield: 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 Boston, everything felt solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $90K-$150K here.
**Final verdict:**
Hope this helps!. 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.
Background: I'm a contractor, 46, moved here 2 years ago from Boston. I've lived in Westside and Springfield, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Close to major attractions
4. The people are generally hit or miss - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Urban sprawl is real
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The housing market situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Westside: Great for retirees. solid vibes, walkable.
- Springfield: 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 Boston, everything felt solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $90K-$150K here.
**Final verdict:**
Hope this helps!. 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.
40 upvotes
Robert Robinson
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Pine Hills for 14 years. Moved from New York for family. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is underrated. We bought in 2015 at k and it's now worth down slightly 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:**
marketing is strong here. education is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are affordable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it exceeded my expectations. The outdoor scene is challenging - we have desert landscapes within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Pine Hills schools are improving. 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. Road conditions need improvement. Can feel isolated. And school system can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 9/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
I've been in Pine Hills for 14 years. Moved from New York for family. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is underrated. We bought in 2015 at k and it's now worth down slightly 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:**
marketing is strong here. education is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are affordable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it exceeded my expectations. The outdoor scene is challenging - we have desert landscapes within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Pine Hills schools are improving. 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. Road conditions need improvement. Can feel isolated. And school system can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 9/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
39 upvotes
Allison Ortiz
Public transit is decent here. You'll probably need a car for most things. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
33 upvotes
Everly M.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem excellent.
I've been here 13 years and it exceeded my expectations. The thing nobody mentions is housing market. It's wild and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the healthcare is legit. And if you're into running, this place is surprisingly good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The East side vs the South side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
I've been here 13 years and it exceeded my expectations. The thing nobody mentions is housing market. It's wild and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the healthcare is legit. And if you're into running, this place is surprisingly good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The East side vs the South side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
32 upvotes
Zoey Rivera
I'm a chef and I've found it was the best decision I ever made. The community is surprisingly good and there's always something going on.
21 upvotes
Abigail R.
Bought a house here in 2022 and it was the best decision I ever made. Property values have gone up significantly since then.
21 upvotes
Laura R.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Fairview for 13 years. Moved from Austin for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is underrated. We bought in 2024 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
manufacturing is strong here. legal 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:**
it's improved dramatically in recent years. The outdoor scene is better than expected - we have ski resorts within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Fairview schools are excellent. 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. Road conditions need improvement. Can feel isolated. And outdoor recreation can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 7/10. It's not for everyone but it works for us.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
I've been in Fairview for 13 years. Moved from Austin for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is underrated. We bought in 2024 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
manufacturing is strong here. legal 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:**
it's improved dramatically in recent years. The outdoor scene is better than expected - we have ski resorts within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Fairview schools are excellent. 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. Road conditions need improvement. Can feel isolated. And outdoor recreation can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 7/10. It's not for everyone but it works for us.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
19 upvotes
Ezekiel Moore
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are decent, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
17 upvotes
Jose Young
I work in government here and I genuinely enjoy living here. The job market for my field is hit or miss. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
9 upvotes
Joseph Sanchez
same here
8 upvotes
Paisley Hill
I've been living here for 8 years and I'd say it's improved dramatically in recent years. The job market is hit or miss compared to other places I've lived. Overall Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
7 upvotes
Alexander Jackson
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value food scene, you'll love it. The safety is genuinely challenging and I've found it exceeded my expectations. My neighborhood (Oak Park) is stable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Denver, be prepared for the culture shock. pet-friendliness is completely different here. And Winters are long and cold.
My advice would be to visit for at least a week before committing. Rent first, don't buy. And explore multiple neighborhoods - they're all different.
If you value food scene, you'll love it. The safety is genuinely challenging and I've found it exceeded my expectations. My neighborhood (Oak Park) is stable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Denver, be prepared for the culture shock. pet-friendliness is completely different here. And Winters are long and cold.
My advice would be to visit for at least a week before committing. Rent first, don't buy. And explore multiple neighborhoods - they're all different.
6 upvotes