Longtime lurker here, Homes are going for about $143,000 on average. Average temperature is around 52--F, so expect cold winters. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The food scene here is surprisingly good. What are your go-to spots?
12 upvotes
6 Replies
Declan Cooper
Used to live on the Midtown side, now on the The Heights side. Completely different vibe. I love the pace of life here.
38 upvotes
Violet Turner
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a writer, 38, moved here 15 years ago from Austin. I've lived in Downtown and Oak Park, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Good airport with direct flights
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The safety situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Downtown: Great for families. pretty good vibes, walkable.
- Oak Park: 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 surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $80K-$100K here.
**Final verdict:**
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. 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.
35 upvotes
sacramento_levi
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem tough.
I've been here 4 years and it was the best decision I ever made. The thing nobody mentions is public transit. It's established and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the walkability is legit. And if you're into photography, this place is challenging.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Cedar Grove side vs the North side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
27 upvotes
Alice Reed
We moved here with our family and it's improved dramatically in recent years. Schools in Cedar Grove area are surprisingly good. Kids love it here.
13 upvotes
Sophia Young
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem average.
I've been here 6 years and I love the pace of life here. The thing nobody mentions is housing market. It's competitive and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the walkability is legit. And if you're into photography, this place is pretty good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Springfield side vs the Cedar Grove side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
10 upvotes
Maverick Taylor
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 1 years ago from Seattle and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Greenfield. It's challenging for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in legal. If you're in retail you might struggle.
People: Generally pretty good. It took about 6 months to build a solid friend group.
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