Not sure if this has been asked before, but The unemployment rate is 4.8%, which is about average. Median household income is $69,161, which feels about average for the area. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Property taxes are high but you get good services. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Has anyone dealt with this? Appreciate any input. The city has invested a lot in new development. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The city has invested a lot in new development. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The city has invested a lot in new development. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. The suburbs are where most families end up. The weather takes some getting used to. The food scene here is surprisingly good. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus.
6 upvotes
11 Replies
Julia Parker
interesting, hadn't considered that
38 upvotes
Colton Carter
lol so true
35 upvotes
Hannah G.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem hit or miss.
I've been here 13 years and I love the pace of life here. The thing nobody mentions is safety. It's pricey and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the traffic is legit. And if you're into rock climbing, this place is underrated.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The North side vs the Oak Park side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Hope this helps!.
33 upvotes
Eva Smith
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 2 years. Moved from LA for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is hit or miss. We bought in 2016 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
tech is strong here. education 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'm still on the fence after all this time. The outdoor scene is excellent - 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. Old Town 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. Winters are long and cold. Dating scene is rough. And traffic can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 8/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
28 upvotes
Victoria H.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a accountant who relocated here from Salt Lake City about 5 years ago. The main reasons were family and a fresh start.
Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Lots of new development happening
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Limited public transit options
- Far from beaches/mountains
Financially, we've found it tough compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are competitive, gas is tough.
Socially, the quality of life is solid. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
27 upvotes
Ashley M.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 8 years ago from San Diego and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Springfield. It's decent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in finance. If you're in healthcare you might struggle.
People: Generally improving. It took about 3 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: surprisingly good. Tons of options if you like Vietnamese.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
23 upvotes
Miles T.
lol so true
18 upvotes
mountain_weston73
Bought a house here in 2021 and it's not perfect but it works for me. Property values have gone up significantly since then.
13 upvotes
Alice M.
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is traffic. the quality of life is solid. Worth doing your research before committing.
7 upvotes
Sarah Cruz
Moved here from Denver about 8 years ago. I genuinely enjoy living here. Still getting used to food scene but Hope this helps!.
All Countries
