Alright, My family moved here when I was a kid. The unemployment rate is 5.2%, which is about average. The median home value here is around $417,700, which is pretty steep. Poverty rate is 10.0%, which is pretty low. Rent is about $1,673/month for a decent place. The weather takes some getting used to. The suburbs are where most families end up. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Cheers. 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. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The suburbs are where most families end up. The suburbs are where most families end up. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The suburbs are where most families end up. Property taxes are high but you get good services. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. The city has invested a lot in new development. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look.
3 upvotes
11 Replies
Jameson
Came here for a fresh start and stayed because it's improved dramatically in recent years. The safety is honestly excellent and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
38 upvotes
Roman Jones
thanks for sharing
33 upvotes
Victoria
Used to live on the Oak Park side, now on the Pine Hills side. Completely different vibe. I love the pace of life here.
33 upvotes
Maya Phillips
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem underrated.
I've been here 13 years and I love the pace of life here. The thing nobody mentions is housing market. It's stable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cultural scene is legit. And if you're into biking, this place is surprisingly good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Eastside side vs the The Heights side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
29 upvotes
Addison Morgan
Saving this thread
29 upvotes
Valentina Ramos
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want public transit, then yeah this place is great. But if cultural scene matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
28 upvotes
Lillian Gomez
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 8 years ago from Pittsburgh 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 Sunset. It's tough for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in consulting. If you're in hospitality you might struggle.
People: Generally solid. It took about 7 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: challenging. Tons of options if you like sushi.
No regrets on my end..
24 upvotes
Zoe S.
not my experience at all
23 upvotes
Silas
As someone who grew up here, it's been a really good experience overall. A lot has changed in the past few years though. job market used to be much competitive but now it's hit or miss.
22 upvotes
Levi Thomas
wish I knew this sooner
19 upvotes
Genesis
I've lived in Westside for about 7 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's been a really good experience overall. When I first moved here from Houston, I was surprised by walkability. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Good healthcare facilities
- The walkability scene is excellent
The downsides:
- Limited high-paying job options
- Property taxes are high
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for singles. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
All Countries
