I'm a teacher here and Homes are going for about $113,000 on average. Rent is about $734/month for a decent place. The city has invested a lot in new development. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The city has invested a lot in new development. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The weather takes some getting used to. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. The suburbs are where most families end up. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable.
11 upvotes
13 Replies
Gianna Jones
My experience has been mostly positive. it's been a really good experience overall. The only thing I'd watch out for is school system. Other than that, Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
31 upvotes
Emily Clark
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a contractor who relocated here from Seattle about 7 years ago. The main reasons were retirement and work.
Pros I've experienced:
- Lots of new development happening
- Good airport with direct flights
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Limited high-paying job options
- Limited shopping options
Financially, we've found it average compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are competitive, gas is surprisingly good.
Socially, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Good luck with whatever you decide..
30 upvotes
Miles Flores
I'm a pharmacist and I've found it's exactly what I was looking for. The community is hit or miss and there's always something going on.
28 upvotes
Angel Williams
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 4 years ago from Boston and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Meadowbrook. It's solid for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in retail. If you're in retail you might struggle.
People: Generally average. It took about 12 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like Vietnamese.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
27 upvotes
Abigail
The food scene here is challenging. Tons of great Southern places. I have mixed feelings honestly.
25 upvotes
Adeline Howard
Can confirm, been here 5 years.
22 upvotes
Valentina H.
Used to live on the Uptown side, now on the Oak Park side. Completely different vibe. it's not perfect but it works for me.
20 upvotes
Claire Ramos
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 11 years ago from Seattle and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Cedar Grove. It's excellent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is reasonable right now, especially in finance. If you're in finance you might struggle.
People: Generally better than expected. It took about 14 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: improving. Tons of options if you like Asian.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
20 upvotes
Hailey Williams
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are improving, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
17 upvotes
Marie M.
Public transit is better than expected here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's not perfect but it works for me.
15 upvotes
Santiago W.
My experience has been mostly positive. I have mixed feelings honestly. The only thing I'd watch out for is outdoor recreation. Other than that, Good luck with whatever you decide..
7 upvotes
Genesis Nguyen
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem improving.
I've been here 7 years and it's been a really good experience overall. The thing nobody mentions is outdoor recreation. It's established and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the safety is legit. And if you're into mountain biking, this place is hit or miss.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The West side vs the Greenfield side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
6 upvotes
columbus_nicholas
Bought a house here in 2022 and I'm still on the fence after all this time. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
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