Random thought, I grew up here but left for a while. Poverty rate is 8.0%, which is pretty low. Median household income is $50,838, which feels on the lower side for the area. You can expect to pay around $743 for rent here. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Has anyone dealt with this? Thanks in advance! The city has invested a lot in new development. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood.
4 upvotes
3 Replies
miamipapa2023
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 11 years ago from San Diego 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 Westside. It's tough for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in manufacturing. If you're in real estate you might struggle.
People: Generally improving. It took about 11 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: tough. Tons of options if you like Korean.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
20 upvotes
Piper Turner
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem challenging.
I've been here 3 years and it's not perfect but it works for me. The thing nobody mentions is job market. It's pricey and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the public transit is legit. And if you're into running, this place is hit or miss.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Westside side vs the Oak Park side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
7 upvotes
Ezekiel Howard
I've lived in Old Town for about 9 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. When I first moved here from Chicago, I was surprised by safety. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Nice parks and green spaces
- The nightlife scene is pretty good
The downsides:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Winters are long and cold
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for young professionals. No regrets on my end..
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