First post here. Born and raised here. You can expect to pay around $1,421 for rent here. Crime rate is something to consider -Norridge sits at 91.3 per 100K. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. What neighborhoods would you suggest?
10 upvotes
9 Replies
Carson Bennett
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a writer, 39, moved here 6 years ago from New York. I've lived in Highland and East, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Decent public transit for the size
2. Four distinct seasons
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. Not very walkable outside downtown
2. Can feel isolated
3. The housing market situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Highland: Great for singles. challenging vibes, walkable.
- East: 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 New York, everything felt hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $80K-$110K 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.
40 upvotes
Harper Martinez
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I genuinely enjoy living here. Internet is underrated in most areas.
30 upvotes
Aaron H.
Used to live on the East side, now on the Old Town side. Completely different vibe. I love the pace of life here.
29 upvotes
river_sofia78
Moved here from San Francisco about 6 years ago. it's not perfect but it works for me. Still getting used to healthcare but Happy to answer more specific questions..
27 upvotes
Ryan H.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a nurse, 25, moved here 13 years ago from Dallas. I've lived in Eastside and Oak Park, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Good schools in most areas
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The pet-friendliness situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Eastside: Great for young professionals. pretty good vibes, walkable.
- Oak Park: 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 Dallas, everything felt tough. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $60K-$100K here.
**Final verdict:**
Hope this helps!. 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.
26 upvotes
Paisley Rodriguez
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's improved dramatically in recent years. No regrets on my end..
25 upvotes
Elizabeth R.
accurate
23 upvotes
fresnolocal2020
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are surprisingly good, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
3 upvotes
Sophia Nelson
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a HR manager who relocated here from Tampa about 11 years ago. The main reasons were retirement and cost of living.
Pros I've experienced:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Lots of new development happening
- Close to major attractions
Cons that are real:
- Limited public transit options
- Dating scene is rough
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 stable, gas is solid.
Socially, I genuinely enjoy living here. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
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