Curious what people think. I grew up here but left for a while. Median household income is $149,159, which feels pretty solid for the area. The median home value here is around $835,000, which is pretty steep. Rent is about $2,069/month for a decent place. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. What would you do? Cheers. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting.
1 upvotes
3 Replies
josiah_vibes
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a social worker, 58, moved here 1 years ago from New York. I've lived in Oak Park and Downtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Low crime in most neighborhoods
2. Good healthcare facilities
3. Lots of new development happening
4. The people are generally underrated - 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 traffic situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Oak Park: Great for singles. improving vibes, walkable.
- Downtown: 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 New York, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $100K-$110K 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.
23 upvotes
Matthew W.
Used to live on the Cedar Grove side, now on the Sunset side. Completely different vibe. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
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