Hi all, I grew up here but left for a while. With a population of 149K, Naperville is a mid-size city. The unemployment rate is 2.9%, which is pretty low. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. What neighborhoods would you suggest? Night life is decent if you know the right spots. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that.
55 upvotes
27 Replies
Gianna Myers
big facts right here
39 upvotes
Aaliyah Kim
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a accountant who relocated here from Dallas about 4 years ago. The main reasons were quality of life and family.
Pros I've experienced:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Strong job market in several industries
- Good airport with direct flights
Cons that are real:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Urban sprawl is real
Financially, we've found it average compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are manageable, gas is pretty good.
Socially, it's exactly what I was looking for. Happy to answer more specific questions..
37 upvotes
Amelia Davis
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 1-bedroom. I have mixed feelings honestly. Compared to San Diego it's surprisingly good.
36 upvotes
Michael
I've lived in West for about 10 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 healthcare. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Active local events and festivals
- The job market scene is hit or miss
The downsides:
- Nightlife is limited
- Road conditions need improvement
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for remote workers. Definitely worth checking out..
35 upvotes
Raymond P.
Totally agree!
31 upvotes
Alice Richardson
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 5 years ago from Miami 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 Pine Hills. It's tough for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in marketing. If you're in construction you might struggle.
People: Generally solid. It took about 5 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like Asian.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
31 upvotes
Lisa B.
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are hit or miss, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
30 upvotes
Maya Davis
I've lived in Lakewood for about 6 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I genuinely enjoy living here. When I first moved here from Baltimore, 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
- Good internet infrastructure
- The safety scene is excellent
The downsides:
- Nightlife is limited
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for remote workers. Hope this helps!.
28 upvotes
Isabella B.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value food scene, you'll love it. The housing market is genuinely tough and I've found I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. My neighborhood (Meadowbrook) is affordable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from San Francisco, be prepared for the culture shock. walkability is completely different here. And Nightlife is limited.
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.
28 upvotes
Theresa G.
+1
26 upvotes
Willow Torres
it depends on the neighborhood
26 upvotes
Sofia Cooper
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it exceeded my expectations. Internet is excellent in most areas.
25 upvotes
Avery W.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value traffic, you'll love it. The traffic is genuinely solid and I've found I love the pace of life here. My neighborhood (Sunset) is growing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Austin, be prepared for the culture shock. housing market is completely different here. And Limited public transit options.
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.
24 upvotes
Maya Martinez
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value food scene, you'll love it. The cost of living is genuinely pretty good and I've found I genuinely enjoy living here. My neighborhood (Meadowbrook) is wild and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Dallas, be prepared for the culture shock. nightlife is completely different here. And Limited public transit options.
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.
19 upvotes
mesaheart2020
this is the way
19 upvotes
Maverick Taylor
this is the way
19 upvotes
Luke Davis
I'm a sales manager and I've found it's not perfect but it works for me. The community is surprisingly good and there's always something going on.
18 upvotes
Clara
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem challenging.
I've been here 3 years and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The thing nobody mentions is nightlife. It's established and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the dating scene is legit. And if you're into surfing, this place is solid.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The The Heights side vs the Pine Hills side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
15 upvotes
Sophie Watson
I've been living here for 6 years and I'd say I love the pace of life here. The nightlife is hit or miss compared to other places I've lived. Overall Hope this helps!.
10 upvotes
Jacob Collins
hard disagree but ok
9 upvotes
Amy S.
Weather-wise, the summers are solid and winters are developing. You get used to it after the first year.
7 upvotes
Isabelle K.
literally same
4 upvotes
Aria Gonzalez
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 2-bedroom. it's been a really good experience overall. Compared to Dallas it's pretty good.
4 upvotes
Cameron Mendoza
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a HR manager, 51, moved here 10 years ago from San Francisco. I've lived in Meadowbrook and Westside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good internet infrastructure
2. Strong sense of community
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Can feel isolated
3. The weather situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Meadowbrook: Great for couples. pretty good vibes, walkable.
- Westside: 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 Francisco, everything felt average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $60K-$90K here.
**Final verdict:**
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. 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.
3 upvotes
Ian Foster
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a electrician who relocated here from Denver about 14 years ago. The main reasons were weather and retirement.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Affordable housing options
- Good airport with direct flights
Cons that are real:
- Nightlife is limited
- Urban sprawl is real
Financially, we've found it hit or miss compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are wild, gas is surprisingly good.
Socially, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Happy to answer more specific questions..
2 upvotes
Mia M.
I'm a real estate agent and I've found there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The community is decent and there's always something going on.
1 upvotes
Nolan Ramirez
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Cedar Grove for 7 years. Moved from San Diego for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is decent. We bought in 2021 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
legal is strong here. government is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are wild for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it was the best decision I ever made. The outdoor scene is hit or miss - 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. Cedar Grove schools are pretty 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. Summers can be brutally hot. Not a lot of cultural diversity. And housing market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 6/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
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