Alright, I work in engineering and Rent is about $1,834/month for a decent place. Homes are going for about $321,200 on average. With a population of 43,722, Lombard is a smaller city. The suburbs are where most families end up. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Should I be concerned? TIA! It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Property taxes are high but you get good services.
25 upvotes
15 Replies
Eli F.
Came here for weather and stayed because it's exactly what I was looking for. The traffic is honestly hit or miss and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
38 upvotes
stl_ethan
Public transit is better than expected here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's been a really good experience overall.
37 upvotes
Jason F.
The food scene here is average. Tons of great farm-to-table places. the quality of life is solid.
36 upvotes
Reagan B.
This.
30 upvotes
Luna White
facts
30 upvotes
Autumn Murphy
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a social worker, 41, moved here 2 years ago from Minneapolis. I've lived in Springfield and Cedar Grove, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Growing food and restaurant scene
3. Good schools in most areas
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The public transit situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Springfield: Great for families. hit or miss vibes, walkable.
- Cedar Grove: 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 Minneapolis, everything felt excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $40K-$120K here.
**Final verdict:**
Happy to answer more specific questions.. 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.
28 upvotes
Kennedy W.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a project manager who relocated here from New York about 9 years ago. The main reasons were a fresh start and work.
Pros I've experienced:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Strong job market in several industries
- Close to major attractions
Cons that are real:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Limited high-paying job options
Financially, we've found it solid compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are stable, gas is average.
Socially, I have mixed feelings honestly. Good luck with whatever you decide..
23 upvotes
Sebastian S.
this is the way
22 upvotes
Landon King
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 7 years ago from Chicago and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in The Heights. It's surprisingly good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in government. If you're in legal you might struggle.
People: Generally better than expected. It took about 4 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: tough. Tons of options if you like Asian.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
19 upvotes
Jacob Gutierrez
The food scene here is solid. Tons of great Mediterranean places. it's improved dramatically in recent years.
18 upvotes
Paisley Brown
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 2-bedroom. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Compared to Tampa it's underrated.
18 upvotes
Eugene R.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a data analyst who relocated here from Austin about 8 years ago. The main reasons were weather and a fresh start.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good schools in most areas
- Decent public transit for the size
- Active local events and festivals
Cons that are real:
- Chain restaurants dominate
- Limited entertainment options
Financially, we've found it average compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are pricey, gas is hit or miss.
Socially, I'm still on the fence after all this time. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
13 upvotes
Carson Reyes
noted, appreciate it
6 upvotes
Aurora
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I have mixed feelings honestly. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
5 upvotes
Brooks Kim
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value dating scene, you'll love it. The food scene is genuinely challenging and I've found it's been a really good experience overall. My neighborhood (Meadowbrook) is competitive and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from San Diego, be prepared for the culture shock. housing market 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.
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