First post here. Born and raised here. Median household income is $76,772, which feels about average for the area. The median home value here is around $372,300, which seems about average. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. It's changing fast — some good, some not so much. Has anyone dealt with this? The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. It's changing fast — some good, some not so much. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The city has invested a lot in new development.
26 upvotes
7 Replies
Victoria Reed
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I genuinely enjoy living here. Internet is improving in most areas.
38 upvotes
Violet Brooks
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are solid, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
37 upvotes
Nora Campbell
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Pine Hills for 12 years. Moved from Seattle for family. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is pretty good. We bought in 2020 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. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
education is strong here. tech is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are manageable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The outdoor scene is solid - we have beaches within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Pine Hills schools are average. 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. Winters are long and cold. Homeless population growing downtown. And outdoor recreation can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 6/10. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
35 upvotes
Claire Young
Used to live on the Uptown side, now on the Oak Park side. Completely different vibe. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
28 upvotes
Natalie
Moved here from Houston about 10 years ago. I genuinely enjoy living here. Still getting used to cultural scene but Would recommend to anyone considering it..
27 upvotes
Jordan Mendoza
I've been living here for 1 years and I'd say it was the best decision I ever made. The healthcare is pretty good compared to other places I've lived. Overall No regrets on my end..
21 upvotes
jeremiah_girl
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a marketing manager who relocated here from San Diego about 13 years ago. The main reasons were school and school.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Active local events and festivals
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
- Chain restaurants dominate
Financially, we've found it better than expected compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are established, gas is better than expected.
Socially, the quality of life is solid. Happy to answer more specific questions..
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