Been living here since 2011. Median household income is $17,092, which feels on the lower side for the area. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. The city has invested a lot in new development. Property taxes are high but you get good services.
13 upvotes
23 Replies
real_skylar34
My experience has been mostly positive. it's exactly what I was looking for. The only thing I'd watch out for is outdoor recreation. Other than that, No regrets on my end..
40 upvotes
Riley C.
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are excellent, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
38 upvotes
Ariana
accurate
37 upvotes
Austin Howard
Hot take but I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. I know a lot of people disagree but after 15 years here, that's my honest assessment.
37 upvotes
Jeremiah C.
Moved here from Boston about 12 years ago. the quality of life is solid. Still getting used to housing market but Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
36 upvotes
Aubrey Hernandez
preach
36 upvotes
Maya F.
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I have mixed feelings honestly. No regrets on my end..
35 upvotes
Kimberly M.
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is job market. it's exactly what I was looking for. Worth doing your research before committing.
31 upvotes
Joshua Martin
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value healthcare, you'll love it. The public transit is genuinely challenging and I've found I love the pace of life here. My neighborhood (Downtown) is manageable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Minneapolis, be prepared for the culture shock. school system is completely different here. And Limited public transit options.
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.
25 upvotes
Joseph Long
been saying this for years
24 upvotes
Caleb Long
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value cultural scene, you'll love it. The dating scene is genuinely excellent and I've found it's been a really good experience overall. My neighborhood (Old Town) is affordable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Chicago, be prepared for the culture shock. cost of living is completely different here. And Rising rent and home prices.
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.
23 upvotes
Isabelle A.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a accountant who relocated here from Miami about 5 years ago. The main reasons were quality of life and my partner's job.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good internet infrastructure
- Close to major attractions
- Diverse dining options
Cons that are real:
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
- Limited entertainment options
Financially, we've found it underrated compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are competitive, gas is decent.
Socially, I genuinely enjoy living here. Feel free to reach out with questions..
22 upvotes
Arianna Allen
wish I knew this sooner
20 upvotes
Jayden
I've been living here for 4 years and I'd say it was the best decision I ever made. The public transit is excellent compared to other places I've lived. Overall Happy to answer more specific questions..
20 upvotes
Emilia Murphy
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. the quality of life is solid. Internet is hit or miss in most areas.
19 upvotes
Jaxon
it depends on the neighborhood
16 upvotes
Oliver Taylor
My experience has been mostly positive. it's been a really good experience overall. The only thing I'd watch out for is food scene. Other than that, It's not for everyone but it works for us..
16 upvotes
Nolan
accurate
14 upvotes
Ryan Baker
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are challenging, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
10 upvotes
fresnowalker2025
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 11 years ago from Minneapolis and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Oak Park. It's tough for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in hospitality. If you're in real estate you might struggle.
People: Generally excellent. It took about 7 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: underrated. Tons of options if you like Korean.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
8 upvotes
Valentina C.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a accountant, 39, moved here 3 years ago from Atlanta. I've lived in Old Town and Lakewood, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Lots of new development happening
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Four distinct seasons
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Limited high-paying job options
3. The outdoor recreation situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Old Town: Great for couples. hit or miss vibes, walkable.
- Lakewood: 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 Atlanta, everything felt better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $100K-$70K here.
**Final verdict:**
No regrets on my end.. 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.
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