First post here. I'm a teacher here and Homes are going for about $336,300 on average. Poverty rate is 7.7%, which is pretty low. The suburbs are where most families end up. Looking forward to hearing from you all.
47 upvotes
7 Replies
chicago_silas
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a accountant, 49, moved here 5 years ago from Houston. I've lived in Meadowbrook and West, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Diverse dining options
2. Strong sense of community
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Rising rent and home prices
2. Nightlife is limited
3. The weather situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Meadowbrook: Great for retirees. underrated vibes, walkable.
- West: 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 Houston, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $60K-$120K 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.
39 upvotes
Joseph Sanchez
accurate
37 upvotes
Cameron Mendoza
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem better than expected.
I've been here 11 years and I love the pace of life here. The thing nobody mentions is food scene. It's competitive and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the outdoor recreation is legit. And if you're into photography, this place is underrated.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The South side vs the Riverside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
36 upvotes
cool_violet86
We moved here with our family and the quality of life is solid. Schools in Oak Park area are hit or miss. Kids love it here.
16 upvotes
Isaiah T.
As someone who grew up here, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. A lot has changed in the past few years though. public transit used to be much growing but now it's solid.
10 upvotes
Jayden Morales
I've lived in Old Town for about 9 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's exactly what I was looking for. When I first moved here from Seattle, I was surprised by dating scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Good internet infrastructure
- The housing market scene is underrated
The downsides:
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
- Homeless population growing downtown
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for couples. Feel free to reach out with questions..
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