Curious what people think. Military spouse here. Poverty rate is 10.0%, which is pretty low. It's a a small town city with about 20,383 people. Median household income is $79,750, which feels about average for the area. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The food scene here is surprisingly good. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level.
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Katherine Gomez
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a pharmacist, 39, moved here 4 years ago from Houston. I've lived in Oak Park and Cedar Grove, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Nice parks and green spaces
3. Decent public transit for the size
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited high-paying job options
2. Dating scene is rough
3. The safety situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Oak Park: Great for families. better than expected vibes, walkable.
- Cedar Grove: 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 Houston, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $70K-$110K 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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