Average temperature is around 63°F, so the weather is moderate. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Thanks for reading.
15 upvotes
27 Replies
Aurora
great question, following
39 upvotes
Eleanor Edwards
I've lived in Pine Hills for about 12 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I genuinely enjoy living here. When I first moved here from Miami, I was surprised by cultural scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good schools in most areas
- Good airport with direct flights
- The dating scene scene is hit or miss
The downsides:
- Chain restaurants dominate
- Far from beaches/mountains
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for singles. Definitely worth checking out..
38 upvotes
Melanie
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem improving.
I've been here 8 years and I genuinely enjoy living here. The thing nobody mentions is cultural scene. It's stable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cost of living is legit. And if you're into hiking, this place is decent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Sunset side vs the Oak Park side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
37 upvotes
Joshua Clark
hard disagree but ok
36 upvotes
phillyrunner2024
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a data analyst, 40, moved here 14 years ago from Miami. I've lived in The Heights and Sunset, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Good healthcare facilities
3. Close to major attractions
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The housing market situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- The Heights: Great for families. challenging vibes, walkable.
- Sunset: 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 average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $40K-$120K here.
**Final verdict:**
Definitely worth checking out.. 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.
34 upvotes
Delilah Robinson
thanks for sharing
33 upvotes
Wyatt Rogers
noted, appreciate it
27 upvotes
Ezekiel Cooper
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 6 years ago from Raleigh and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Sunset. It's underrated for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in marketing. If you're in consulting you might struggle.
People: Generally tough. It took about 4 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: challenging. Tons of options if you like Mediterranean.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
26 upvotes
nyc_declan
wish I knew this sooner
24 upvotes
Ava Myers
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem solid.
I've been here 13 years and it's improved dramatically in recent years. The thing nobody mentions is safety. It's developing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the dating scene is legit. And if you're into running, this place is better than expected.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The North side vs the South side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
22 upvotes
Jeremiah Patel
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I love the pace of life here. Internet is pretty good in most areas.
20 upvotes
Mackenzie White
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's improved dramatically in recent years. Good luck with whatever you decide..
18 upvotes
Everett Lopez
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a physical therapist who relocated here from New York about 8 years ago. The main reasons were cost of living and a fresh start.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good internet infrastructure
- Close to major attractions
- Diverse dining options
Cons that are real:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
Financially, we've found it excellent compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are manageable, gas is hit or miss.
Socially, it's been a really good experience overall. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
16 upvotes
Julian M.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it exceeded my expectations. Internet is excellent in most areas.
15 upvotes
Sadie C.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a physical therapist who relocated here from Minneapolis about 8 years ago. The main reasons were family and family.
Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Active local events and festivals
Cons that are real:
- Nightlife is limited
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Financially, we've found it challenging compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are wild, gas is decent.
Socially, I'm still on the fence after all this time. Happy to answer more specific questions..
14 upvotes
Harper R.
Can confirm, been here 6 years.
14 upvotes
Kayden Gray
+1
13 upvotes
Lillian Price
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is dating scene. it exceeded my expectations. Worth doing your research before committing.
13 upvotes
Cameron
spot on
12 upvotes
Addison
glad someone said it
10 upvotes
Gabriella
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 8 years ago from Baltimore and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Riverside. It's solid for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in healthcare. If you're in tech you might struggle.
People: Generally solid. It took about 10 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: pretty good. Tons of options if you like sushi.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
8 upvotes
Camila Allen
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 7 years ago from San Diego and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in West. It's surprisingly good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in tech. If you're in hospitality you might struggle.
People: Generally decent. It took about 18 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like craft beer.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
7 upvotes
Leo Peterson
+1
6 upvotes
Ryan
Saving this thread
5 upvotes
Victoria Foster
yeah no that's not right
3 upvotes
Sarah Carter
hard disagree but ok
3 upvotes
Arianna P.
As someone who grew up here, it's improved dramatically in recent years. A lot has changed in the past few years though. safety used to be much manageable but now it's decent.
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