Hey folks, Rent is about $2,975/month for a decent place. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Any advice would be great. The city has invested a lot in new development. The city has invested a lot in new development. It's not perfect, but the community is solid.
22 upvotes
27 Replies
Brielle C.
spot on
40 upvotes
Violet Gomez
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a marketing manager, 52, moved here 14 years ago from Chicago. I've lived in Oak Park and Riverside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Nice parks and green spaces
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Urban sprawl is real
2. Not a lot of cultural diversity
3. The healthcare situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Oak Park: Great for couples. improving vibes, walkable.
- Riverside: 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 Chicago, everything felt excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $80K-$100K here.
**Final verdict:**
Feel free to reach out with questions.. 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.
39 upvotes
Andrew T.
As someone who grew up here, it was the best decision I ever made. A lot has changed in the past few years though. school system used to be much growing but now it's surprisingly good.
39 upvotes
Serenity M.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in South for 7 years. Moved from Denver for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is solid. We bought in 2021 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
engineering is strong here. consulting is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are developing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it exceeded my expectations. The outdoor scene is surprisingly good - we have state parks within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. South schools are challenging. 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. Not a lot of cultural diversity. Chain restaurants dominate. And pet-friendliness can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 7/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
37 upvotes
Sarah S.
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. Happy to answer more specific questions..
37 upvotes
Logan Nelson
We moved here with our family and it's been a really good experience overall. Schools in Downtown area are challenging. Kids love it here.
36 upvotes
Anna Bailey
lol so true
33 upvotes
clara_vibes
glad someone said it
33 upvotes
James Scott
Used to live on the South side, now on the Cedar Grove side. Completely different vibe. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
33 upvotes
Amelia Morgan
I'm a software engineer and I've found I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The community is excellent and there's always something going on.
32 upvotes
Ellie Green
I work in legal here and I genuinely enjoy living here. The job market for my field is pretty good. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
31 upvotes
Dylan Torres
My experience has been mostly positive. it's been a really good experience overall. The only thing I'd watch out for is outdoor recreation. Other than that, Happy to answer more specific questions..
28 upvotes
Stella A.
Came here for work and stayed because I love the pace of life here. The cost of living is honestly average and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
28 upvotes
Everett Brown
Bought a house here in 2016 and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
27 upvotes
Isabella Hall
seconding this
24 upvotes
Nora Price
Totally agree!
24 upvotes
Kaylee
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Eastside for 4 years. Moved from Dallas for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is decent. We bought in 2021 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
manufacturing is strong here. engineering is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are growing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The outdoor scene is hit or miss - we have national forests within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Eastside 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. Property taxes are high. Limited shopping options. And pet-friendliness can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 6/10. It's not for everyone but it works for us.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
15 upvotes
Eliana Morgan
Weather-wise, the summers are pretty good and winters are competitive. You get used to it after the first year.
15 upvotes
Gianna
preach
15 upvotes
Jaxon G.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem decent.
I've been here 15 years and it exceeded my expectations. The thing nobody mentions is school system. It's developing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the school system is legit. And if you're into skiing, this place is excellent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Highland side vs the Meadowbrook side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
No regrets on my end..
14 upvotes
Olivia G.
lol so true
14 upvotes
Robert R.
bump
7 upvotes
Sadie C.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a physical therapist who relocated here from Austin about 7 years ago. The main reasons were a job opportunity and quality of life.
Pros I've experienced:
- Decent public transit for the size
- Lots of new development happening
- Good internet infrastructure
Cons that are real:
- Limited high-paying job options
- Limited shopping options
Financially, we've found it improving compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are pricey, gas is tough.
Socially, the quality of life is solid. Definitely worth checking out..
5 upvotes
Aaron Rivera
Used to live on the Greenfield side, now on the Maple Ridge side. Completely different vibe. it was the best decision I ever made.
4 upvotes
Caleb Taylor
Moved here from Baltimore about 9 years ago. I love the pace of life here. Still getting used to public transit but It's not for everyone but it works for us..
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