Curious what people think. I'm a college student here and Homes are going for about $612,800 on average. Median household income is $97,628, which feels pretty solid for the area. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The city has invested a lot in new development.
17 upvotes
22 Replies
eva_native
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's not perfect but it works for me. Internet is pretty good in most areas.
35 upvotes
Allison M.
Weather-wise, the summers are hit or miss and winters are stable. You get used to it after the first year.
32 upvotes
Cora Young
Bought a house here in 2024 and it exceeded my expectations. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
29 upvotes
Ariana
hmm interesting perspective
27 upvotes
Bella Mendoza
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 2-bedroom. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Compared to Houston it's surprisingly good.
27 upvotes
Jordan M.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a social worker, 44, moved here 13 years ago from Dallas. I've lived in Cedar Grove and Uptown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Low crime in most neighborhoods
3. Strong job market in several industries
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The cultural scene situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Cedar Grove: Great for retirees. surprisingly good vibes, walkable.
- Uptown: 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 Dallas, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $60K-$120K here.
**Final verdict:**
Definitely worth checking out.. 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.
26 upvotes
Quinn White
Totally agree!
21 upvotes
true_aiden80
yep
20 upvotes
Skylar Hall
honestly same experience here
19 upvotes
Hannah F.
wish I knew this sooner
18 upvotes
Luke Young
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Midtown for 9 years. Moved from Denver for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is surprisingly good. We bought in 2016 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
retail is strong here. education 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:**
I genuinely enjoy living here. The outdoor scene is average - we have state parks within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Midtown schools are pretty 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. Not a lot of cultural diversity. And healthcare can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 6/10. Would recommend to anyone considering it.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
17 upvotes
Camila King
Public transit is surprisingly good here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now.
15 upvotes
dallas_colton
The food scene here is surprisingly good. Tons of great Mexican places. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
13 upvotes
Dylan Patel
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a nurse, 41, moved here 13 years ago from Baltimore. I've lived in Fairview and Maple Ridge, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Decent public transit for the size
2. Good airport with direct flights
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not a lot of cultural diversity
2. Limited shopping options
3. The dating scene situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Fairview: Great for singles. challenging vibes, walkable.
- Maple Ridge: 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 Baltimore, everything felt underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $40K-$70K here.
**Final verdict:**
Would recommend to anyone considering it.. 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.
13 upvotes
Eva Ward
hmm interesting perspective
9 upvotes
Wyatt F.
100%
3 upvotes
Nathan M.
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's not perfect but it works for me. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
2 upvotes
Roman Perez
as a local I can confirm
1 upvotes
Delilah Myers
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Internet is surprisingly good in most areas.
0 upvotes
lanative2023
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem hit or miss.
I've been here 15 years and the quality of life is solid. The thing nobody mentions is nightlife. It's reasonable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the weather is legit. And if you're into kayaking, this place is challenging.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Oak Park side vs the Meadowbrook side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
No regrets on my end..
0 upvotes
Abigail Moore
Public transit is pretty good here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now.
0 upvotes
Jose Bailey
I'm a accountant and I've found I genuinely enjoy living here. The community is hit or miss and there's always something going on.
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