Hi all, I'm a college student here and Homes are going for about $189,300 on average. The median home value here is around $189,300, which is actually reasonable. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Has anyone dealt with this? The suburbs are where most families end up.
10 upvotes
24 Replies
Santiago Ramirez
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it was the best decision I ever made. Internet is better than expected in most areas.
40 upvotes
Hunter Thompson
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 3-bedroom. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Compared to Seattle it's solid.
40 upvotes
Cooper C.
I've lived in Midtown for about 1 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I genuinely enjoy living here. When I first moved here from New York, I was surprised by outdoor recreation. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- The safety scene is challenging
The downsides:
- Nightlife is limited
- Limited shopping options
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for young professionals. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
34 upvotes
Kaylee Hall
I've lived in Oak Park for about 8 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. When I first moved here from Salt Lake City, I was surprised by safety. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Lots of new development happening
- Good airport with direct flights
- The food scene scene is surprisingly good
The downsides:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Can feel isolated
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for couples. Happy to answer more specific questions..
32 upvotes
Harper Thomas
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's exactly what I was looking for. Good luck with whatever you decide..
32 upvotes
Serenity Brown
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Meadowbrook for 7 years. Moved from Miami for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is better than expected. We bought in 2019 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
consulting is strong here. legal is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are affordable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's not perfect but it works for me. The outdoor scene is better than expected - we have rivers within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Meadowbrook schools are hit or miss. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.
**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Summers can be brutally hot. Far from beaches/mountains. And dating scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 6/10. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
31 upvotes
Hunter H.
I've lived in Springfield for about 11 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I genuinely enjoy living here. When I first moved here from Salt Lake City, I was surprised by weather. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Affordable housing options
- The school system scene is solid
The downsides:
- Nightlife is limited
- Chain restaurants dominate
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for singles. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
30 upvotes
Elena R.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a accountant who relocated here from Austin about 4 years ago. The main reasons were a job opportunity and school.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good internet infrastructure
- Good airport with direct flights
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Far from beaches/mountains
Financially, we've found it underrated compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are wild, gas is surprisingly good.
Socially, it exceeded my expectations. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
29 upvotes
mountain_weston73
I've lived in Old Town for about 4 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. When I first moved here from Salt Lake City, I was surprised by weather. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Strong job market in several industries
- The food scene scene is challenging
The downsides:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for couples. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
29 upvotes
Valentina K.
+1
27 upvotes
Nicole R.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem surprisingly good.
I've been here 1 years and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The thing nobody mentions is job market. It's stable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the pet-friendliness is legit. And if you're into golfing, this place is pretty good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Meadowbrook side vs the Old Town side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
25 upvotes
aria_lover
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 4 years ago from Chicago and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Midtown. It's pretty good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in engineering. If you're in consulting you might struggle.
People: Generally hit or miss. It took about 17 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: better than expected. Tons of options if you like sushi.
No regrets on my end..
25 upvotes
Ryan Roberts
Came here for retirement and stayed because it was the best decision I ever made. The housing market is honestly pretty good and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
24 upvotes
Jack Foster
I'm a writer and I've found I love the pace of life here. The community is decent and there's always something going on.
21 upvotes
Mateo H.
Can confirm, been here 6 years.
19 upvotes
Mateo Long
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's been a really good experience overall. Internet is underrated in most areas.
18 upvotes
Audrey Roberts
Used to live on the Uptown side, now on the East side. Completely different vibe. I love the pace of life here.
18 upvotes
Susan E.
100%
15 upvotes
Kaylee Ross
good to know, thanks
13 upvotes
Eliana Ortiz
The food scene here is underrated. Tons of great Italian places. I'm still on the fence after all this time.
8 upvotes
Stella Long
I've lived in Oak Park for about 4 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I have mixed feelings honestly. When I first moved here from Charlotte, I was surprised by pet-friendliness. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Lots of new development happening
- The dating scene scene is improving
The downsides:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Can feel isolated
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for families. Happy to answer more specific questions..
7 upvotes
Allison Parker
Bought a house here in 2024 and I genuinely enjoy living here. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
6 upvotes
Asher
Moved here from Houston about 12 years ago. it exceeded my expectations. Still getting used to outdoor recreation but No regrets on my end..
5 upvotes
Miles Clark
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem hit or miss.
I've been here 3 years and it's improved dramatically in recent years. The thing nobody mentions is cost of living. It's stable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the healthcare is legit. And if you're into biking, this place is hit or miss.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Greenfield side vs the North side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
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