Longtime lurker here, I'm a college student here and You can expect to pay around $1,782 for rent here. With a population of 19,727, Lake Zurich is a small town. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The food scene here is surprisingly good. What would you do? The city has invested a lot in new development. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. The suburbs are where most families end up. The city has invested a lot in new development. The weather takes some getting used to. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse.
7 upvotes
12 Replies
Jameson Chavez
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a lawyer, 43, moved here 3 years ago from Austin. I've lived in Fairview and Greenfield, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Lots of new development happening
3. Close to major attractions
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not very walkable outside downtown
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The traffic situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Fairview: Great for families. average vibes, walkable.
- Greenfield: 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 Austin, everything felt improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $80K-$90K 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.
39 upvotes
Terry B.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Eastside for 15 years. Moved from San Diego for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is tough. We bought in 2015 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
manufacturing is strong here. real estate is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are reasonable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I love the pace of life here. The outdoor scene is hit or miss - we have national forests within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Eastside schools are better than expected. 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. Limited entertainment options. And cultural scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 6/10. Would recommend to anyone considering it.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
24 upvotes
Nicholas Cruz
The food scene here is decent. Tons of great Mediterranean places. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
23 upvotes
Nicholas F.
I've lived in Highland for about 10 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's been a really good experience overall. When I first moved here from Dallas, I was surprised by safety. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Nice parks and green spaces
- The community vibe scene is underrated
The downsides:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Not very walkable outside downtown
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for remote workers. No regrets on my end..
22 upvotes
miamiheart2026
As someone who grew up here, it's improved dramatically in recent years. A lot has changed in the past few years though. outdoor recreation used to be much affordable but now it's hit or miss.
17 upvotes
Owen Morris
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value school system, you'll love it. The food scene is genuinely surprisingly good and I've found I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. My neighborhood (Midtown) is manageable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Baltimore, be prepared for the culture shock. housing market is completely different here. And Traffic during rush hour is rough.
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.
17 upvotes
Leah R.
Came here for work and stayed because it's exactly what I was looking for. The cultural scene is honestly solid and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
11 upvotes
kaylee_guy
been saying this for years
6 upvotes
Adeline Young
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 9 years ago from Tampa and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Oak Park. It's surprisingly good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in real estate. If you're in legal you might struggle.
People: Generally decent. It took about 6 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: pretty good. Tons of options if you like Thai.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
3 upvotes
Jose Roberts
Used to live on the Riverside side, now on the Oak Park side. Completely different vibe. it was the best decision I ever made.
3 upvotes
Genesis Foster
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value public transit, you'll love it. The housing market is genuinely surprisingly good and I've found it was the best decision I ever made. My neighborhood (South) is growing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Phoenix, be prepared for the culture shock. community vibe is completely different here. And Limited public transit options.
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.
2 upvotes
Hudson Sanders
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Old Town for 9 years. Moved from Chicago for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is improving. We bought in 2021 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
education is strong here. consulting is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are established for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it was the best decision I ever made. The outdoor scene is better than expected - we have biking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Old Town 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. Limited shopping options. Homeless population growing downtown. And cultural scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 7/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
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