Been meaning to ask this. I'm a remote worker and You can expect to pay around $1,317 for rent here. Household incomes average around $79,363 in Park Forest Village. It's a a small town city with about 8,810 people. The weather takes some getting used to. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The suburbs are where most families end up. Property taxes are high but you get good services. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. The weather takes some getting used to.
0 upvotes
10 Replies
Adeline
wish I knew this sooner
40 upvotes
Sophia Torres
Moved here from Austin about 9 years ago. the quality of life is solid. Still getting used to safety but Would recommend to anyone considering it..
38 upvotes
Jacob O.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want cost of living, then yeah this place is great. But if cost of living matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
22 upvotes
Katherine Moore
Moved here from San Diego about 13 years ago. it was the best decision I ever made. Still getting used to cultural scene but Happy to answer more specific questions..
22 upvotes
mountain_lillian19
I'm a data analyst and I've found it exceeded my expectations. The community is hit or miss and there's always something going on.
21 upvotes
Nova Moore
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 4 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 2-bed in Cedar Grove. It's challenging for what you get.
Jobs: The market is reasonable right now, especially in tech. If you're in retail you might struggle.
People: Generally average. It took about 14 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: tough. Tons of options if you like seafood.
No regrets on my end..
21 upvotes
Kaylee Myers
I'm a teacher and I've found the quality of life is solid. The community is decent and there's always something going on.
21 upvotes
Amelia Mitchell
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a electrician, 30, moved here 7 years ago from Raleigh. I've lived in Springfield and West, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Lots of new development happening
3. Close to major attractions
4. The people are generally average - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Property taxes are high
3. The outdoor recreation situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Springfield: Great for young professionals. tough vibes, walkable.
- West: More affordable, family-friendly.
**Neighborhoods I'd avoid:**
- Without naming names, stay away from areas east of downtown until you know the city better.
**Cost comparison:**
Coming from Raleigh, everything felt underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $90K-$90K here.
**Final verdict:**
Hope this helps!. It's not perfect - nowhere is - but for the price point and quality of life, it's hard to beat. DM me if you have specific questions.
11 upvotes
Logan Foster
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a teacher, 25, moved here 6 years ago from Denver. I've lived in Sunset and Maple Ridge, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Four distinct seasons
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally solid - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Winters are long and cold
3. The outdoor recreation situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Sunset: Great for singles. average vibes, walkable.
- Maple Ridge: More affordable, family-friendly.
**Neighborhoods I'd avoid:**
- Without naming names, stay away from areas east of downtown until you know the city better.
**Cost comparison:**
Coming from Denver, everything felt underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $80K-$140K here.
**Final verdict:**
No regrets on my end.. It's not perfect - nowhere is - but for the price point and quality of life, it's hard to beat. DM me if you have specific questions.
6 upvotes
Ezra C.
I've lived in Sunset 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 Dallas, I was surprised by healthcare. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Decent public transit for the size
- Four distinct seasons
- The walkability scene is pretty good
The downsides:
- Chain restaurants dominate
- Far from beaches/mountains
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for retirees. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
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