Curious what people think. I relocated for work and The median home value here is around $169,800, which is actually reasonable. The unemployment rate is 4.7%, which is about average. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Does this match your experience? TIA! It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The weather takes some getting used to. The city has invested a lot in new development. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look.
11 upvotes
14 Replies
Julian N.
spot on
35 upvotes
Oliver Allen
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want housing market, then yeah this place is great. But if community vibe matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
34 upvotes
Stella D.
Moved here from Seattle about 5 years ago. it's exactly what I was looking for. Still getting used to public transit but Happy to answer more specific questions..
32 upvotes
Easton Rodriguez
Can confirm, been here 2 years.
23 upvotes
Jace F.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a contractor who relocated here from LA about 12 years ago. The main reasons were retirement and school.
Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Decent public transit for the size
- Diverse dining options
Cons that are real:
- Winters are long and cold
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Financially, we've found it underrated compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are pricey, gas is tough.
Socially, I genuinely enjoy living here. Good luck with whatever you decide..
22 upvotes
Stella Gonzalez
I'm a physical therapist and I've found it's exactly what I was looking for. The community is pretty good and there's always something going on.
22 upvotes
Ezra Watson
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value weather, you'll love it. The food scene is genuinely hit or miss and I've found it's exactly what I was looking for. My neighborhood (Westside) is pricey and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Boston, be prepared for the culture shock. safety is completely different here. And Winters are long and cold.
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.
18 upvotes
Madelyn
hard disagree but ok
16 upvotes
Adam Watson
hmm interesting perspective
16 upvotes
Katherine
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a social worker who relocated here from Austin about 3 years ago. The main reasons were quality of life and my partner's job.
Pros I've experienced:
- Decent public transit for the size
- Lots of new development happening
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Limited shopping options
- Limited entertainment options
Financially, we've found it improving compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are manageable, gas is surprisingly good.
Socially, I have mixed feelings honestly. Good luck with whatever you decide..
16 upvotes
Xavier Martinez
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 8 years ago from LA and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Oak Park. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in retail. If you're in tech you might struggle.
People: Generally hit or miss. It took about 17 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: pretty good. Tons of options if you like BBQ.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
14 upvotes
Ruby Campbell
The food scene here is underrated. Tons of great Indian places. it's improved dramatically in recent years.
11 upvotes
Parker Stewart
Hot take but I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. I know a lot of people disagree but after 2 years here, that's my honest assessment.
10 upvotes
Gabriel Murphy
I've been living here for 12 years and I'd say it was the best decision I ever made. The food scene is average compared to other places I've lived. Overall Happy to answer more specific questions..
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