Alright, The unemployment rate is 4.0%, which is pretty low. It's a a smaller city city with about 43,819 people. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. What would you do? The food scene here is surprisingly good. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable.
18 upvotes
7 Replies
Brooks G.
preach
35 upvotes
Asher Gonzalez
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a social worker, 29, moved here 14 years ago from Baltimore. I've lived in Oak Park and South, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally average - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited entertainment options
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The cost of living situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Oak Park: Great for singles. average vibes, walkable.
- South: 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 Baltimore, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $90K-$80K here.
**Final verdict:**
Hope this helps!. 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.
32 upvotes
Anna Rodriguez
facts
23 upvotes
Jack W.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 9 years ago from Seattle and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Lakewood. It's surprisingly good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in manufacturing. If you're in construction you might struggle.
People: Generally decent. It took about 13 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like Mediterranean.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
21 upvotes
Emmett E.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a pharmacist, 46, moved here 12 years ago from San Diego. I've lived in West and Oak Park, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Low crime in most neighborhoods
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally hit or miss - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Winters are long and cold
3. The job market situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- West: Great for remote workers. average 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 San Diego, everything felt excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $100K-$140K here.
**Final verdict:**
It's not for everyone but it works for us.. 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.
5 upvotes
Samuel Smith
couldn't agree more
3 upvotes
Natalie Howard
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value cost of living, you'll love it. The outdoor recreation is genuinely hit or miss and I've found it's improved dramatically in recent years. My neighborhood (Cedar Grove) is pricey and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Minneapolis, be prepared for the culture shock. cultural scene is completely different here. And Chain restaurants dominate.
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.
All Countries
