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philly_elena housing

Is it worth buying in Normal?

Hey folks, I grew up here but left for a while. The median home value here is around $199,900, which is actually reasonable. Average temperature is around 51--F, so expect cold winters. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Anyone in a similar situation?
29 upvotes

4 Replies

Lucas Ross
interesting, hadn't considered that
28 upvotes
Kinsley P.
Used to live on the Uptown side, now on the Old Town side. Completely different vibe. I have mixed feelings honestly.
19 upvotes
omahalover2024
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.

Background: I'm a real estate agent, 51, moved here 2 years ago from Austin. I've lived in Downtown and Midtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.

**What I love:**
1. Good healthcare facilities
2. Lots of new development happening
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year

**What I don't love:**
1. Rising rent and home prices
2. Dating scene is rough
3. The cultural scene situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving

**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Downtown: Great for couples. underrated vibes, walkable.
- Midtown: 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 Austin, everything felt underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $90K-$100K here.

**Final verdict:**
No regrets on my end.. 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.
5 upvotes
Isaac Phillips
I've lived in Westside for about 4 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 Phoenix, I was surprised by weather. 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 outdoor recreation scene is solid

The downsides:
- Can feel isolated
- Bugs and humidity in summer

Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for young professionals. Good luck with whatever you decide..
2 upvotes
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