Just moved here 17 months ago and Household incomes average around $63,807 in Morris.
2 upvotes
11 Replies
Dylan M.
glad someone said it
34 upvotes
Serenity Campbell
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a chef, 34, moved here 9 years ago from Miami. I've lived in Riverside and Maple Ridge, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Lots of new development happening
3. Active local events and festivals
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Nightlife is limited
2. Limited shopping options
3. The cultural scene situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Riverside: Great for retirees. solid vibes, walkable.
- Maple Ridge: 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 Miami, everything felt underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $100K-$80K 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.
30 upvotes
Cooper Price
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Downtown for 10 years. Moved from San Diego for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is decent. We bought in 2024 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
real estate is strong here. education is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are reasonable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's exactly what I was looking for. The outdoor scene is tough - we have lakes within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Downtown schools are surprisingly good. 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. Winters are long and cold. Not a lot of cultural diversity. And cultural scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 9/10. Hope this helps!. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
30 upvotes
Brooklyn Kelly
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 15 years ago from San Francisco and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Oak Park. It's underrated for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in marketing. If you're in engineering you might struggle.
People: Generally surprisingly good. It took about 17 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: surprisingly good. Tons of options if you like Indian.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
29 upvotes
Declan Rodriguez
great question, following
26 upvotes
Nathan Bennett
following this thread
25 upvotes
cool_benjamin70
I'm a writer and I've found it's not perfect but it works for me. The community is improving and there's always something going on.
25 upvotes
milwaukeechef2023
yeah no that's not right
24 upvotes
Lillian Rivera
I'm a teacher and I've found I'm still on the fence after all this time. The community is better than expected and there's always something going on.
4 upvotes
Angel Sanders
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I have mixed feelings honestly. Definitely worth checking out..
3 upvotes
Carson Chavez
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are underrated, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.