Been meaning to ask this. My partner and I are Crime rate is something to consider -Matteson sits at 1,296.3 per 100K. With a population of 18,681, Matteson is a small town. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Thoughts? The school system varies a lot by neighborhood.
14 upvotes
12 Replies
Paul W.
hmm interesting perspective
38 upvotes
Andrew Martin
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I genuinely enjoy living here. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
36 upvotes
Michael Roberts
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a writer, 51, moved here 4 years ago from Chicago. I've lived in Westside and Sunset, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good healthcare facilities
2. Affordable housing options
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Winters are long and cold
3. The nightlife situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Westside: Great for remote workers. hit or miss vibes, walkable.
- Sunset: 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 Chicago, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $100K-$140K here.
**Final verdict:**
Hope this helps!. 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.
33 upvotes
Jaxon
The food scene here is improving. Tons of great Mexican places. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
27 upvotes
Alice Hill
lol so true
26 upvotes
Jaxon
I'm a electrician and I've found it's been a really good experience overall. The community is excellent and there's always something going on.
24 upvotes
Savannah Bailey
I work in healthcare here and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The job market for my field is excellent. Happy to answer more specific questions..
22 upvotes
Jonathan B.
Used to live on the Old Town side, now on the Eastside side. Completely different vibe. it's not perfect but it works for me.
17 upvotes
atl_john
I've been living here for 4 years and I'd say it exceeded my expectations. The safety is tough compared to other places I've lived. Overall Happy to answer more specific questions..
16 upvotes
Asher Gomez
not my experience at all
8 upvotes
sdchef2020
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value cultural scene, you'll love it. The outdoor recreation is genuinely tough and I've found it was the best decision I ever made. My neighborhood (Old Town) is competitive and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from LA, be prepared for the culture shock. food scene is completely different here. And Not a lot of cultural diversity.
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.
5 upvotes
Benjamin Sanchez
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value community vibe, you'll love it. The nightlife is genuinely improving and I've found I genuinely enjoy living here. My neighborhood (North) is growing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Atlanta, be prepared for the culture shock. public transit is completely different here. And Nightlife is limited.
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.
All Countries
