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Michael
moving
Moving to Lombard -what should I know?
OK so My partner and I are The school system varies a lot by neighborhood.
17 upvotes
30 Replies
Wesley D.
underrated comment
40 upvotes
Connor R.
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are improving, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
38 upvotes
Madelyn
haha yep pretty much
38 upvotes
Eli M.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem underrated.
I've been here 4 years and I love the pace of life here. The thing nobody mentions is cost of living. It's growing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the nightlife is legit. And if you're into hiking, this place is better than expected.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Cedar Grove side vs the Old Town side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
No regrets on my end..
I've been here 4 years and I love the pace of life here. The thing nobody mentions is cost of living. It's growing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the nightlife is legit. And if you're into hiking, this place is better than expected.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Cedar Grove side vs the Old Town side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
No regrets on my end..
37 upvotes
Daniel Green
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is school system. it was the best decision I ever made. Worth doing your research before committing.
37 upvotes
Eva Reed
I've been living here for 6 years and I'd say I have mixed feelings honestly. The school system is improving compared to other places I've lived. Overall Feel free to reach out with questions..
36 upvotes
Nicholas M.
Can confirm, been here 7 years.
33 upvotes
Maverick R.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 12 years ago from Minneapolis and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Downtown. It's tough for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in hospitality. If you're in education you might struggle.
People: Generally improving. It took about 15 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: challenging. Tons of options if you like Indian.
Hope this helps!.
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Downtown. It's tough for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in hospitality. If you're in education you might struggle.
People: Generally improving. It took about 15 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: challenging. Tons of options if you like Indian.
Hope this helps!.
32 upvotes
Sharon W.
I've lived in Springfield for about 15 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's improved dramatically in recent years. When I first moved here from Raleigh, I was surprised by healthcare. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Good schools in most areas
- The community vibe scene is improving
The downsides:
- Limited high-paying job options
- Road conditions need improvement
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for families. Hope this helps!.
it's improved dramatically in recent years. When I first moved here from Raleigh, I was surprised by healthcare. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Good schools in most areas
- The community vibe scene is improving
The downsides:
- Limited high-paying job options
- Road conditions need improvement
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for families. Hope this helps!.
30 upvotes
Ava
yeah no that's not right
28 upvotes
Aubrey Green
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a writer who relocated here from Seattle about 11 years ago. The main reasons were work and quality of life.
Pros I've experienced:
- Active local events and festivals
- Close to major attractions
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Limited entertainment options
Financially, we've found it hit or miss compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are affordable, gas is solid.
Socially, it's not perfect but it works for me. No regrets on my end..
I'm a writer who relocated here from Seattle about 11 years ago. The main reasons were work and quality of life.
Pros I've experienced:
- Active local events and festivals
- Close to major attractions
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Limited entertainment options
Financially, we've found it hit or miss compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are affordable, gas is solid.
Socially, it's not perfect but it works for me. No regrets on my end..
26 upvotes
Stella D.
Used to live on the Maple Ridge side, now on the East side. Completely different vibe. it's exactly what I was looking for.
25 upvotes
Zoe
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Pine Hills for 1 years. Moved from Chicago for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is underrated. We bought in 2021 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. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
retail is strong here. manufacturing 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 genuinely enjoy living here. The outdoor scene is solid - 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. Pine Hills schools are average. 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. Summers can be brutally hot. Urban sprawl is real. And traffic can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 9/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
I've been in Pine Hills for 1 years. Moved from Chicago for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is underrated. We bought in 2021 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. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
retail is strong here. manufacturing 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 genuinely enjoy living here. The outdoor scene is solid - 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. Pine Hills schools are average. 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. Summers can be brutally hot. Urban sprawl is real. And traffic can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 9/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
23 upvotes
Aiden Scott
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are challenging, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
23 upvotes
Weston Hernandez
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are better than expected, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
22 upvotes
jaxnative2022
yeah no that's not right
20 upvotes
minneapolislover2025
My experience has been mostly positive. the quality of life is solid. The only thing I'd watch out for is pet-friendliness. Other than that, Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
20 upvotes
Isabelle Clark
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 1 years ago from Pittsburgh and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in The Heights. It's hit or miss for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in consulting. If you're in hospitality you might struggle.
People: Generally average. It took about 4 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: better than expected. Tons of options if you like Southern.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in The Heights. It's hit or miss for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in consulting. If you're in hospitality you might struggle.
People: Generally average. It took about 4 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: better than expected. Tons of options if you like Southern.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
14 upvotes
Isabelle J.
I've lived in Pine Hills for about 2 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I have mixed feelings honestly. When I first moved here from Chicago, I was surprised by food scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- The healthcare scene is excellent
The downsides:
- Winters are long and cold
- Chain restaurants dominate
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for singles. No regrets on my end..
I have mixed feelings honestly. When I first moved here from Chicago, I was surprised by food scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- The healthcare scene is excellent
The downsides:
- Winters are long and cold
- Chain restaurants dominate
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for singles. No regrets on my end..
12 upvotes
Evelyn Richardson
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a physical therapist, 27, moved here 7 years ago from Miami. I've lived in Pine Hills and Sunset, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Nice parks and green spaces
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally solid - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not very walkable outside downtown
2. Limited high-paying job options
3. The nightlife situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Pine Hills: Great for remote workers. tough vibes, walkable.
- Sunset: 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 Miami, everything felt average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $80K-$120K here.
**Final verdict:**
Feel free to reach out with 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.
Background: I'm a physical therapist, 27, moved here 7 years ago from Miami. I've lived in Pine Hills and Sunset, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Nice parks and green spaces
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally solid - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not very walkable outside downtown
2. Limited high-paying job options
3. The nightlife situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Pine Hills: Great for remote workers. tough vibes, walkable.
- Sunset: 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 Miami, everything felt average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $80K-$120K here.
**Final verdict:**
Feel free to reach out with 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.
9 upvotes
Judy G.
Weather-wise, the summers are decent and winters are affordable. You get used to it after the first year.
9 upvotes
Ezekiel Howard
Moved here from Pittsburgh about 14 years ago. it's exactly what I was looking for. Still getting used to pet-friendliness but Happy to answer more specific questions..
9 upvotes
Jack Young
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value job market, you'll love it. The nightlife is genuinely underrated and I've found it's exactly what I was looking for. My neighborhood (Greenfield) is wild and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from New York, be prepared for the culture shock. safety is completely different here. And Summers can be brutally hot.
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.
If you value job market, you'll love it. The nightlife is genuinely underrated and I've found it's exactly what I was looking for. My neighborhood (Greenfield) is wild and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from New York, be prepared for the culture shock. safety is completely different here. And Summers can be brutally hot.
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.
8 upvotes
Harold H.
Weather-wise, the summers are better than expected and winters are reasonable. You get used to it after the first year.
7 upvotes
hudson_soul
interesting, hadn't considered that
6 upvotes
Eleanor Perez
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is food scene. it exceeded my expectations. Worth doing your research before committing.
5 upvotes
Stella Collins
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value pet-friendliness, you'll love it. The cultural scene is genuinely pretty good and I've found the quality of life is solid. My neighborhood (Midtown) is developing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Dallas, be prepared for the culture shock. cost of living 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.
If you value pet-friendliness, you'll love it. The cultural scene is genuinely pretty good and I've found the quality of life is solid. My neighborhood (Midtown) is developing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Dallas, be prepared for the culture shock. cost of living 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.
3 upvotes
Henry Chavez
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a writer, 32, moved here 9 years ago from Dallas. I've lived in Downtown and Lakewood, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Good healthcare facilities
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Can feel isolated
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The healthcare situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Downtown: Great for remote workers. challenging vibes, walkable.
- Lakewood: 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 hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $100K-$80K 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.
Background: I'm a writer, 32, moved here 9 years ago from Dallas. I've lived in Downtown and Lakewood, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Good healthcare facilities
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Can feel isolated
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The healthcare situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Downtown: Great for remote workers. challenging vibes, walkable.
- Lakewood: 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 hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $100K-$80K 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.
3 upvotes
charlottemind2020
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in East for 6 years. Moved from Pittsburgh for family. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is challenging. We bought in 2021 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
legal is strong here. engineering is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are pricey for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I genuinely enjoy living here. The outdoor scene is pretty good - we have hiking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. East schools are tough. 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 public transit options. Can feel isolated. And healthcare can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 5/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
I've been in East for 6 years. Moved from Pittsburgh for family. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is challenging. We bought in 2021 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
legal is strong here. engineering is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are pricey for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I genuinely enjoy living here. The outdoor scene is pretty good - we have hiking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. East schools are tough. 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 public transit options. Can feel isolated. And healthcare can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 5/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
2 upvotes
Eva Reyes
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Uptown for 3 years. Moved from Houston for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is solid. We bought in 2016 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
tech is strong here. engineering is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are manageable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I genuinely enjoy living here. The outdoor scene is better than expected - we have hiking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Uptown 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. Traffic during rush hour is rough. Far from beaches/mountains. And cost of living can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 6/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
I've been in Uptown for 3 years. Moved from Houston for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is solid. We bought in 2016 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
tech is strong here. engineering is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are manageable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I genuinely enjoy living here. The outdoor scene is better than expected - we have hiking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Uptown 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. Traffic during rush hour is rough. Far from beaches/mountains. And cost of living can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 6/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
1 upvotes