Alright, Born and raised here. The median home value here is around $134,800, which is actually reasonable. Poverty rate is 7.4%, which is pretty low. Crime rate is something to consider -Northbrook sits at 661.1 per 100K. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The city has invested a lot in new development. Property taxes are high but you get good services.
Pros:
- Good job market
- Low crime in most areas
- Close to nature
- Diverse community
- Strong sense of community
Cons:
- Cold winters
- Boring for young people
- Mosquitoes and humidity
- Homelessness issues downtown
Worth the trade-offs? Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. The city has invested a lot in new development. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. The city has invested a lot in new development. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The city has invested a lot in new development. Property taxes are high but you get good services. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Property taxes are high but you get good services.
12 upvotes
11 Replies
Hannah W.
My experience has been mostly positive. it exceeded my expectations. The only thing I'd watch out for is cost of living. Other than that, Feel free to reach out with questions..
33 upvotes
John Adams
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value food scene, you'll love it. The safety is genuinely surprisingly good and I've found there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. My neighborhood (Fairview) is established and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Tampa, be prepared for the culture shock. job market is completely different here. And Chain restaurants dominate.
My advice would be to visit for at least a week before committing. Rent first, don't buy. And explore multiple neighborhoods - they're all different.
32 upvotes
Miles L.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in West for 12 years. Moved from Atlanta for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is underrated. We bought in 2017 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
marketing is strong here. manufacturing 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:**
it exceeded my expectations. The outdoor scene is hit or miss - we have mountains within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. West schools are pretty good. 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. Not a lot of cultural diversity. Road conditions need improvement. And walkability can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 9/10. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
26 upvotes
Aiden Patel
I've been living here for 6 years and I'd say it's not perfect but it works for me. The nightlife is tough compared to other places I've lived. Overall Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
26 upvotes
Allison Morales
couldn't agree more
21 upvotes
Ruby Anderson
My experience has been mostly positive. I love the pace of life here. The only thing I'd watch out for is pet-friendliness. Other than that, Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
21 upvotes
Gabriel Jones
Saving this thread
15 upvotes
Waylon Thompson
Saving this thread
8 upvotes
Ralph L.
Totally agree!
5 upvotes
Logan Hill
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 1 years ago from Boston and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Meadowbrook. It's surprisingly good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in construction. If you're in construction you might struggle.
People: Generally excellent. It took about 10 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: improving. Tons of options if you like seafood.
Definitely worth checking out..
2 upvotes
Santiago
The food scene here is hit or miss. Tons of great Vietnamese places. I'm still on the fence after all this time.
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