Hey everyone, I'm a nurse at the local hospital and The unemployment rate is 1.2%, which is pretty low. Poverty rate is 4.0%, which is pretty low. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Let me know your thoughts. The suburbs are where most families end up. The food scene here is surprisingly good. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that.
2 upvotes
8 Replies
Landon Wilson
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a sales manager who relocated here from Seattle about 14 years ago. The main reasons were school and my partner's job.
Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Good healthcare facilities
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Financially, we've found it underrated compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are established, gas is pretty good.
Socially, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Feel free to reach out with questions..
39 upvotes
stlrider2021
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem solid.
I've been here 3 years and I have mixed feelings honestly. The thing nobody mentions is food scene. It's affordable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the pet-friendliness is legit. And if you're into mountain biking, this place is underrated.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Greenfield side vs the Lakewood side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
37 upvotes
Alexa Taylor
Moved here from Phoenix about 8 years ago. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Still getting used to safety but Happy to answer more specific questions..
34 upvotes
Naomi Kelly
I work in retail here and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The job market for my field is underrated. Happy to answer more specific questions..
32 upvotes
Valentina Williams
following this thread
28 upvotes
Josiah Phillips
Public transit is surprisingly good here. You'll probably need a car for most things. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
28 upvotes
Peyton Rogers
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem excellent.
I've been here 15 years and I have mixed feelings honestly. The thing nobody mentions is walkability. It's reasonable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the community vibe is legit. And if you're into running, this place is challenging.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Oak Park side vs the Westside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
5 upvotes
Ezra Y.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 14 years ago from Baltimore and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Meadowbrook. It's tough for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in legal. If you're in construction you might struggle.
People: Generally excellent. It took about 8 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: challenging. Tons of options if you like BBQ.
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