It's a a small town city with about 5,028 people. Average temperature is around 51--F, so expect cold winters. Poverty rate is 11.8%, which is around average. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. What do you all think? It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The city has invested a lot in new development. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The weather takes some getting used to. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The city has invested a lot in new development. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much.
10 upvotes
8 Replies
Emma Wood
Saving this thread
35 upvotes
Camila L.
noted, appreciate it
23 upvotes
Everly Ramirez
I've been living here for 7 years and I'd say it's exactly what I was looking for. The job market is surprisingly good compared to other places I've lived. Overall Definitely worth checking out..
18 upvotes
Autumn
big facts right here
17 upvotes
Clara Turner
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a HR manager, 42, moved here 8 years ago from Tampa. I've lived in Eastside and North, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Close to major attractions
2. Diverse dining options
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited shopping options
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The traffic situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Eastside: Great for retirees. challenging vibes, walkable.
- North: 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 Tampa, everything felt solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $90K-$150K here.
**Final verdict:**
Definitely worth checking out.. 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.
13 upvotes
Ryan Green
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 7 years ago from LA and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Lakewood. It's challenging for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in construction. If you're in finance you might struggle.
People: Generally excellent. It took about 8 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: challenging. Tons of options if you like seafood.
No regrets on my end..
9 upvotes
Xavier Ruiz
Used to live on the Oak Park side, now on the Cedar Grove side. Completely different vibe. I genuinely enjoy living here.
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