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Madelyn housing

First time home buyer in Matteson

Curious what people think. I'm a teacher here and The median home value here is around $251,400, which seems about average. Median household income is $98,617, which feels pretty solid for the area. Rent is about $1,390/month for a decent place. The suburbs are where most families end up. The city has invested a lot in new development. What neighborhoods would you suggest? There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The weather takes some getting used to. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Property taxes are high but you get good services. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much.
0 upvotes

8 Replies

Sarah R.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's exactly what I was looking for. Internet is underrated in most areas.
40 upvotes
Autumn Turner
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.

Background: I'm a accountant, 48, moved here 14 years ago from Miami. I've lived in Greenfield and Pine Hills, and traveled to most parts of the metro.

**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Strong job market in several industries
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year

**What I don't love:**
1. Limited high-paying job options
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The traffic situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving

**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Greenfield: Great for families. pretty good vibes, walkable.
- Pine Hills: 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 Miami, everything felt decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $90K-$140K here.

**Final verdict:**
It's not for everyone but it works for us.. 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.
40 upvotes
Emma
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it was the best decision I ever made. Definitely worth checking out..
31 upvotes
Katherine G.
I've lived in Highland for about 2 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 community vibe. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.

A few things worth knowing:
- Good schools in most areas
- Strong job market in several industries
- The pet-friendliness scene is solid

The downsides:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Not very walkable outside downtown

Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for families. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
31 upvotes
Zoey Mitchell
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want outdoor recreation, then yeah this place is great. But if healthcare matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
29 upvotes
James Brown
literally same
24 upvotes
Amelia Jimenez
been saying this for years
23 upvotes
Emma Brown
I've been living here for 15 years and I'd say I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The dating scene is average compared to other places I've lived. Overall Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
0 upvotes
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