We're a young couple and The median home value here is around $164,200, which is actually reasonable. The weather takes some getting used to. The food scene here is surprisingly good. What are your go-to spots? The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that.
13 upvotes
9 Replies
Piper E.
haha yep pretty much
39 upvotes
Samuel M.
Can confirm, been here 5 years.
32 upvotes
Alice White
I've been living here for 2 years and I'd say I genuinely enjoy living here. The weather is average compared to other places I've lived. Overall It's not for everyone but it works for us..
30 upvotes
alexander_life
I've lived in Downtown for about 14 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's been a really good experience overall. When I first moved here from Denver, I was surprised by safety. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good healthcare facilities
- Good internet infrastructure
- The weather scene is challenging
The downsides:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Nightlife is limited
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for retirees. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
27 upvotes
Adeline Diaz
yep
26 upvotes
loving_nathan28
this is the way
15 upvotes
Luke S.
My experience has been mostly positive. it's not perfect but it works for me. The only thing I'd watch out for is housing market. Other than that, Happy to answer more specific questions..
13 upvotes
loving_sophie40
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a marketing manager who relocated here from Tampa about 10 years ago. The main reasons were family and family.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Lots of new development happening
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Limited public transit options
- Nightlife is limited
Financially, we've found it tough compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are stable, gas is tough.
Socially, it's not perfect but it works for me. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
9 upvotes
sadie_heart
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 10 years ago from Nashville and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Oak Park. It's better than expected for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in construction. If you're in finance you might struggle.
People: Generally tough. It took about 6 months to build a solid friend group.
All Countries
