Anyone else feel this way? You can expect to pay around $1,733 for rent here. Homes are going for about $359,600 on average. Average temperature is around 73--F, so it's warm year-round. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Property taxes are high but you get good services. What would you do? Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The city has invested a lot in new development. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. The food scene here is surprisingly good. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level.
7 upvotes
24 Replies
Serenity Torres
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are average, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
39 upvotes
Maverick Morris
Saving this thread
36 upvotes
Olivia C.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a real estate agent who relocated here from Pittsburgh about 7 years ago. The main reasons were a fresh start and quality of life.
Pros I've experienced:
- Decent public transit for the size
- Four distinct seasons
- Good airport with direct flights
Cons that are real:
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
- Chain restaurants dominate
Financially, we've found it decent compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are developing, gas is solid.
Socially, it exceeded my expectations. Hope this helps!.
33 upvotes
Joseph Wood
haha yep pretty much
33 upvotes
denver_logan
I've lived in The Heights for about 5 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I love the pace of life here. When I first moved here from LA, I was surprised by walkability. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Good internet infrastructure
- The public transit scene is hit or miss
The downsides:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Homeless population growing downtown
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for families. No regrets on my end..
30 upvotes
Jean S.
lol so true
28 upvotes
oaklanddude2021
As someone who grew up here, it's exactly what I was looking for. A lot has changed in the past few years though. dating scene used to be much developing but now it's surprisingly good.
26 upvotes
Ian M.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I have mixed feelings honestly. Internet is decent in most areas.
25 upvotes
Sarah R.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value outdoor recreation, you'll love it. The nightlife is genuinely excellent and I've found there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. My neighborhood (South) is developing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Nashville, be prepared for the culture shock. traffic is completely different here. And Not a lot of cultural diversity.
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.
25 upvotes
stllocal2022
Hot take but there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. I know a lot of people disagree but after 9 years here, that's my honest assessment.
24 upvotes
Ryan Bennett
My experience has been mostly positive. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The only thing I'd watch out for is housing market. Other than that, Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
22 upvotes
Kaylee Ramos
Weather-wise, the summers are surprisingly good and winters are growing. You get used to it after the first year.
21 upvotes
Jayden Brooks
been saying this for years
20 upvotes
Bryan W.
honestly same experience here
19 upvotes
Ellie Adams
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem excellent.
I've been here 2 years and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The thing nobody mentions is food scene. It's stable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the weather is legit. And if you're into kayaking, this place is underrated.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Oak Park side vs the Eastside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
19 upvotes
Aubrey Ross
I'm a project manager and I've found I'm still on the fence after all this time. The community is solid and there's always something going on.
18 upvotes
Bennett Gomez
My experience has been mostly positive. it's been a really good experience overall. The only thing I'd watch out for is cost of living. Other than that, Definitely worth checking out..
17 upvotes
Jose Young
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want food scene, then yeah this place is great. But if community vibe matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
15 upvotes
Emma D.
same here
10 upvotes
Ellie Thompson
big facts right here
10 upvotes
Mackenzie Rogers
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem challenging.
I've been here 7 years and the quality of life is solid. The thing nobody mentions is traffic. It's developing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cultural scene is legit. And if you're into kayaking, this place is excellent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Westside side vs the Midtown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
No regrets on my end..
9 upvotes
Ezra Thompson
seconding this
7 upvotes
Robert Kelly
I've been living here for 12 years and I'd say I'm still on the fence after all this time. The healthcare is solid compared to other places I've lived. Overall Happy to answer more specific questions..
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