Curious what people think. My partner and I are The unemployment rate is 1.2%, which is pretty low. Poverty rate is 2.2%, which is pretty low. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Has anyone dealt with this? The suburbs are where most families end up. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The suburbs are where most families end up. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. The suburbs are where most families end up.
6 upvotes
10 Replies
Brielle W.
noted, appreciate it
29 upvotes
Riley
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 6 years ago from Portland and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Oak Park. It's solid for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in education. If you're in consulting you might struggle.
People: Generally challenging. It took about 13 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: decent. Tons of options if you like Italian.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
29 upvotes
Brooks T.
following this thread
27 upvotes
Lily Smith
Came here for a job opportunity and stayed because I genuinely enjoy living here. The walkability is honestly hit or miss and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
24 upvotes
Leo C.
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 2-bedroom. I have mixed feelings honestly. Compared to Austin it's decent.
19 upvotes
Savannah
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a nurse who relocated here from Boston about 1 years ago. The main reasons were a job opportunity and family.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good schools in most areas
- Decent public transit for the size
- Strong job market in several industries
Cons that are real:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Property taxes are high
Financially, we've found it better than expected compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are stable, gas is challenging.
Socially, it's been a really good experience overall. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
18 upvotes
Cooper
Used to live on the East side, now on the The Heights side. Completely different vibe. it's not perfect but it works for me.
13 upvotes
Andrew K.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem decent.
I've been here 5 years and it was the best decision I ever made. The thing nobody mentions is school system. It's wild and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the walkability is legit. And if you're into skiing, this place is tough.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Uptown side vs the The Heights side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
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