Curious what people think. I'm originally from Chicago and Median household income is $81,940, which feels pretty solid for the area. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. What are your go-to spots? The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much.
10 upvotes
28 Replies
Nova Adams
As someone who grew up here, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. A lot has changed in the past few years though. cultural scene used to be much developing but now it's tough.
39 upvotes
Jack Smith
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a nurse, 54, moved here 13 years ago from Tampa. I've lived in Westside and Greenfield, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Low crime in most neighborhoods
2. Diverse dining options
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Not a lot of cultural diversity
3. The dating scene situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Westside: Great for singles. pretty good vibes, walkable.
- Greenfield: 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 Tampa, everything felt hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $90K-$100K here.
**Final verdict:**
Happy to answer more specific 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.
38 upvotes
Isabelle Long
facts
38 upvotes
Autumn M.
been saying this for years
35 upvotes
Leo P.
I work in marketing here and it's not perfect but it works for me. The job market for my field is tough. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
35 upvotes
Isaac Cox
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Downtown for 2 years. Moved from Atlanta for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is average. We bought in 2021 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
government is strong here. finance is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are pricey for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
the quality of life is solid. The outdoor scene is pretty good - we have biking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Downtown schools are tough. 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. Limited high-paying job options. Not a lot of cultural diversity. And traffic can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 6/10. Definitely worth checking out.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
31 upvotes
Zoey Gomez
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want safety, then yeah this place is great. But if job market matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
31 upvotes
Anna Gray
interesting, hadn't considered that
30 upvotes
Michael C.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want food scene, then yeah this place is great. But if safety matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
30 upvotes
Isabella Bennett
As someone who grew up here, it's been a really good experience overall. A lot has changed in the past few years though. weather used to be much reasonable but now it's excellent.
29 upvotes
Logan W.
underrated comment
28 upvotes
Jace Thompson
Bought a house here in 2023 and I'm still on the fence after all this time. Property values have gone about the same since then.
26 upvotes
Leonardo
I work in education here and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The job market for my field is pretty good. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
23 upvotes
William Martinez
Moved here last year, no regrets.
18 upvotes
matthew_girl
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 2-bedroom. I love the pace of life here. Compared to Nashville it's tough.
18 upvotes
Noah H.
literally same
16 upvotes
Lillian Edwards
As someone who grew up here, it exceeded my expectations. A lot has changed in the past few years though. cultural scene used to be much manageable but now it's better than expected.
13 upvotes
Landon Smith
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a lawyer, 51, moved here 9 years ago from Minneapolis. I've lived in Eastside and Oak Park, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Nice parks and green spaces
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Four distinct seasons
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The cultural scene situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Eastside: Great for singles. underrated 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 Minneapolis, everything felt average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $70K-$120K here.
**Final verdict:**
Would recommend to anyone considering it.. 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.
13 upvotes
Kai Edwards
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Downtown for 5 years. Moved from Raleigh for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is average. We bought in 2023 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
education is strong here. engineering is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are pricey for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I love the pace of life here. The outdoor scene is average - we have state parks within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Downtown schools are solid. 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. Limited public transit options. Winters are long and cold. And school system can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 7/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
11 upvotes
Oliver Edwards
Came here for family and stayed because it's been a really good experience overall. The traffic is honestly average and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
11 upvotes
Ezra
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in South for 10 years. Moved from Chicago for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is excellent. We bought in 2015 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
manufacturing is strong here. consulting is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are affordable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The outdoor scene is decent - we have biking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. South schools are solid. 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. Traffic during rush hour is rough. Nightlife is limited. And nightlife can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 5/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
9 upvotes
Aaron Cox
been saying this for years
9 upvotes
Willow Miller
I've lived in East for about 9 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. When I first moved here from Boston, I was surprised by housing market. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Decent public transit for the size
- The job market scene is surprisingly good
The downsides:
- Winters are long and cold
- Limited entertainment options
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for retirees. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
8 upvotes
Sophia Gutierrez
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.
6 upvotes
Avery B.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's been a really good experience overall. Internet is hit or miss in most areas.
5 upvotes
Aurora Robinson
I work in retail here and it's improved dramatically in recent years. The job market for my field is better than expected. Feel free to reach out with questions..
3 upvotes
Allison M.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a physical therapist who relocated here from Phoenix about 15 years ago. The main reasons were my partner's job and family.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good schools in most areas
- Good internet infrastructure
- Four distinct seasons
Cons that are real:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Far from beaches/mountains
Financially, we've found it underrated compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are affordable, gas is average.
Socially, it's not perfect but it works for me. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
All Countries
