Hey everyone, Would love some local perspective. Looking forward to hearing from you all. Night life is decent if you know the right spots.
26 upvotes
13 Replies
Aurora
I've lived in Downtown for about 6 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I genuinely enjoy living here. When I first moved here from Tampa, I was surprised by healthcare. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Lots of new development happening
- Four distinct seasons
- The outdoor recreation scene is decent
The downsides:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Property taxes are high
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for singles. Happy to answer more specific questions..
34 upvotes
Arthur B.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem better than expected.
I've been here 6 years and it exceeded my expectations. The thing nobody mentions is outdoor recreation. It's developing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the walkability is legit. And if you're into surfing, this place is challenging.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Sunset side vs the Cedar Grove side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Hope this helps!.
31 upvotes
Abigail T.
My experience has been mostly positive. I have mixed feelings honestly. The only thing I'd watch out for is school system. Other than that, Feel free to reach out with questions..
31 upvotes
Ryan M.
Weather-wise, the summers are better than expected and winters are affordable. You get used to it after the first year.
27 upvotes
Julia Mitchell
Weather-wise, the summers are solid and winters are competitive. You get used to it after the first year.
26 upvotes
Carson Turner
My experience has been mostly positive. I love the pace of life here. The only thing I'd watch out for is safety. Other than that, Happy to answer more specific questions..
22 upvotes
Jaxon L.
Bought a house here in 2019 and I genuinely enjoy living here. Property values have gone about the same since then.
13 upvotes
Avery Brown
couldn't agree more
13 upvotes
Evan Hernandez
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a lawyer who relocated here from San Francisco about 7 years ago. The main reasons were quality of life and a fresh start.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Good internet infrastructure
Cons that are real:
- Winters are long and cold
- Nightlife is limited
Financially, we've found it surprisingly good compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are growing, gas is hit or miss.
Socially, it's been a really good experience overall. No regrets on my end..
12 upvotes
Elijah Sanders
I've lived in Highland for about 9 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's improved dramatically in recent years. When I first moved here from Nashville, I was surprised by walkability. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Nice parks and green spaces
- The housing market scene is better than expected
The downsides:
- Road conditions need improvement
- Dating scene is rough
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for retirees. Good luck with whatever you decide..
10 upvotes
Abigail Richardson
We moved here with our family and the quality of life is solid. Schools in Oak Park area are tough. Kids love it here.
10 upvotes
Parker E.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 3 years ago from Minneapolis and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Uptown. It's tough for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in education. If you're in tech you might struggle.
People: Generally decent. It took about 6 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: better than expected. Tons of options if you like farm-to-table.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
8 upvotes
Sarah Patel
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is dating scene. it was the best decision I ever made. Worth doing your research before committing.
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