So, Military spouse here. Crime rate is something to consider -North Chicago sits at 439.5 per 100K. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. The suburbs are where most families end up. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable.
27 upvotes
4 Replies
Levi Watson
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem surprisingly good.
I've been here 12 years and I genuinely enjoy living here. The thing nobody mentions is school system. It's developing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the traffic is legit. And if you're into skiing, this place is tough.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Highland side vs the Springfield side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
18 upvotes
Katherine G.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a electrician who relocated here from Nashville about 6 years ago. The main reasons were cost of living and retirement.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good schools in most areas
- Strong job market in several industries
- Active local events and festivals
Cons that are real:
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
- Road conditions need improvement
Financially, we've found it better than expected compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are manageable, gas is hit or miss.
Socially, it's improved dramatically in recent years. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
10 upvotes
Joseph Ramirez
Moved here from Seattle about 5 years ago. it's exactly what I was looking for. Still getting used to job market but Good luck with whatever you decide..
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