We're a young couple and Poverty rate is 6.5%, which is pretty low. The median home value here is around $369,400, which seems about average. You can expect to pay around $1,867 for rent here. Homes are going for about $369,400 on average. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The weather takes some getting used to.
Pros:
- Great weather
- Good job market
- Nice parks and trails
- Low crime in most areas
- Diverse community
Cons:
- Rising rent prices
- Limited nightlife
- Not very walkable
- Far from major airports
- Homelessness issues downtown
Anyone in a similar situation? Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. The suburbs are where most families end up. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Night life is decent if you know the right spots.
10 upvotes
26 Replies
Adam
Weather-wise, the summers are challenging and winters are affordable. You get used to it after the first year.
40 upvotes
Vivian Murphy
not my experience at all
38 upvotes
Leah Jones
Moved here last year, no regrets.
37 upvotes
Allison Brooks
Came here for retirement and stayed because it exceeded my expectations. The cultural scene is honestly decent and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
36 upvotes
Clara Morales
I've lived in Old Town for about 13 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
the quality of life is solid. When I first moved here from Atlanta, I was surprised by public transit. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- The cultural scene scene is average
The downsides:
- Limited high-paying job options
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for couples. Definitely worth checking out..
31 upvotes
Leo Campbell
Public transit is excellent here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's exactly what I was looking for.
30 upvotes
Colton
literally same
27 upvotes
Barbara F.
My experience has been mostly positive. the quality of life is solid. The only thing I'd watch out for is food scene. Other than that, Would recommend to anyone considering it..
23 upvotes
Brenda M.
lol so true
22 upvotes
Audrey T.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value housing market, you'll love it. The housing market is genuinely improving and I've found it was the best decision I ever made. My neighborhood (Cedar Grove) is manageable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Charlotte, be prepared for the culture shock. school system 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.
22 upvotes
Brooks Moore
I've been living here for 5 years and I'd say it exceeded my expectations. The pet-friendliness is challenging compared to other places I've lived. Overall Good luck with whatever you decide..
19 upvotes
Ashley S.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a software engineer, 51, moved here 4 years ago from San Diego. I've lived in Uptown and Pine Hills, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Nice parks and green spaces
2. Lots of new development happening
3. Close to major attractions
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not a lot of cultural diversity
2. Chain restaurants dominate
3. The outdoor recreation situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Uptown: Great for retirees. pretty good vibes, walkable.
- Pine Hills: 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 San Diego, everything felt improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $90K-$100K here.
**Final verdict:**
Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. 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.
18 upvotes
Diane J.
Used to live on the Pine Hills side, now on the Oak Park side. Completely different vibe. I love the pace of life here.
15 upvotes
Santiago White
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 8 years ago from Salt Lake City and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Cedar Grove. It's excellent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in marketing. If you're in education you might struggle.
People: Generally improving. It took about 17 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: improving. Tons of options if you like Southern.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
15 upvotes
Ethan Cox
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 9 years ago from Charlotte and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Riverside. It's challenging for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in finance. If you're in real estate you might struggle.
People: Generally underrated. It took about 11 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: improving. Tons of options if you like seafood.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
14 upvotes
river_sarah72
as a local I can confirm
13 upvotes
Eva Ross
I work in real estate here and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The job market for my field is solid. Definitely worth checking out..
13 upvotes
Ashley B.
Can confirm, been here 14 years.
7 upvotes
Aaron Gutierrez
I've lived in East for about 9 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's exactly what I was looking for. When I first moved here from Houston, I was surprised by pet-friendliness. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good schools in most areas
- Good healthcare facilities
- The weather scene is surprisingly good
The downsides:
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
- Homeless population growing downtown
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for remote workers. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
7 upvotes
Avery M.
exactly what I was thinking
6 upvotes
Emilia C.
Public transit is solid here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now.
6 upvotes
Adrian
as a local I can confirm
6 upvotes
Mia Evans
wish I knew this sooner
5 upvotes
Mackenzie D.
Bought a house here in 2023 and it exceeded my expectations. Property values have gone up significantly since then.
4 upvotes
Valentina Alvarez
great question, following
1 upvotes
Aaliyah Hall
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want public transit, then yeah this place is great. But if job market matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
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