Hi all, The unemployment rate is 3.4%, which is pretty low. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The suburbs are where most families end up. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable.
0 upvotes
13 Replies
Nova
I've been living here for 15 years and I'd say the quality of life is solid. The job market is surprisingly good compared to other places I've lived. Overall Hope this helps!.
33 upvotes
Lydia Sanchez
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's exactly what I was looking for. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
31 upvotes
Skylar Foster
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a software engineer, 38, moved here 15 years ago from San Francisco. I've lived in Uptown and Oak Park, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Low crime in most neighborhoods
2. Good healthcare facilities
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The job market situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Uptown: Great for couples. solid 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 San Francisco, everything felt improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $40K-$120K here.
**Final verdict:**
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. 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.
28 upvotes
Luke
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. No regrets on my end..
26 upvotes
Greyson Collins
Came here for weather and stayed because I genuinely enjoy living here. The public transit is honestly pretty good and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
24 upvotes
Roman Bennett
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a physical therapist who relocated here from Seattle about 5 years ago. The main reasons were quality of life and cost of living.
Pros I've experienced:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Affordable housing options
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Limited public transit options
- Can feel isolated
Financially, we've found it tough compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are competitive, gas is improving.
Socially, I'm still on the fence after all this time. Happy to answer more specific questions..
24 upvotes
Leonardo M.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Internet is underrated in most areas.
19 upvotes
Sebastian
Bought a house here in 2020 and it was the best decision I ever made. Property values have gone up significantly since then.
16 upvotes
Hazel Sanchez
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 2-bedroom. it's not perfect but it works for me. Compared to Tampa it's tough.
12 upvotes
Bennett W.
I work in finance here and I genuinely enjoy living here. The job market for my field is decent. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
10 upvotes
Melanie Edwards
Hot take but the quality of life is solid. I know a lot of people disagree but after 14 years here, that's my honest assessment.
9 upvotes
Victoria Bennett
glad someone said it
5 upvotes
Julian Price
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are underrated, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
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