Curious what people think. Am I wrong here? Downtown has improved a lot in recent years.
26 upvotes
15 Replies
omahavibes2022
As someone who grew up here, the quality of life is solid. A lot has changed in the past few years though. traffic used to be much affordable but now it's challenging.
33 upvotes
Zoey Wright
Totally agree!
31 upvotes
Quinn Morris
nah I disagree
31 upvotes
Alexa Taylor
We moved here with our family and it was the best decision I ever made. Schools in Oak Park area are hit or miss. Kids love it here.
26 upvotes
Evan R.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Internet is tough in most areas.
26 upvotes
Riley Murphy
Hot take but I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. I know a lot of people disagree but after 13 years here, that's my honest assessment.
26 upvotes
Peyton Ward
As someone who grew up here, it's exactly what I was looking for. A lot has changed in the past few years though. job market used to be much stable but now it's average.
25 upvotes
Adam Brown
seconding this
25 upvotes
Austin Clark
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a teacher who relocated here from Boston about 5 years ago. The main reasons were a job opportunity and work.
Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Decent public transit for the size
- Affordable housing options
Cons that are real:
- Dating scene is rough
- Far from beaches/mountains
Financially, we've found it surprisingly good compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are pricey, gas is surprisingly good.
Socially, it exceeded my expectations. Happy to answer more specific questions..
23 upvotes
houstonkid2026
We moved here with our family and it's not perfect but it works for me. Schools in Greenfield area are surprisingly good. Kids love it here.
21 upvotes
cincylocal2021
I've been living here for 2 years and I'd say I have mixed feelings honestly. The safety is improving compared to other places I've lived. Overall Happy to answer more specific questions..
16 upvotes
Easton W.
My experience has been mostly positive. I'm still on the fence after all this time. The only thing I'd watch out for is job market. Other than that, Feel free to reach out with questions..
13 upvotes
Alexander Mitchell
interesting, hadn't considered that
13 upvotes
Adrian Patel
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a electrician, 28, moved here 6 years ago from Pittsburgh. I've lived in Sunset and Westside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Close to major attractions
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited shopping options
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The traffic situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Sunset: Great for families. surprisingly good vibes, walkable.
- Westside: 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 Pittsburgh, everything felt average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $90K-$130K here.
**Final verdict:**
Good luck with whatever you decide.. 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.
7 upvotes
Lucy M.
Weather-wise, the summers are pretty good and winters are competitive. You get used to it after the first year.