So, Rent is about $792/month for a decent place. The median home value here is around $118,200, which is actually reasonable. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Is this normal for Pekin? There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look.
18 upvotes
15 Replies
Camila Bailey
Came here for family and stayed because the quality of life is solid. The food scene is honestly solid and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
40 upvotes
Adeline M.
Saving this thread
37 upvotes
Jameson Hughes
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a real estate agent, 26, moved here 8 years ago from Chicago. I've lived in Highland and Maple Ridge, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Nice parks and green spaces
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Strong job market in several industries
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Road conditions need improvement
2. Dating scene is rough
3. The school system situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Highland: Great for remote workers. pretty good 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 Chicago, everything felt challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $80K-$90K 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.
30 upvotes
everly_native
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it was the best decision I ever made. Internet is hit or miss in most areas.
29 upvotes
Jeremiah Nelson
I'm a nurse and I've found it exceeded my expectations. The community is underrated and there's always something going on.
28 upvotes
Gianna Harris
thanks for sharing
26 upvotes
Gianna James
My experience has been mostly positive. I genuinely enjoy living here. The only thing I'd watch out for is walkability. Other than that, It's not for everyone but it works for us..
19 upvotes
Eleanor Mendoza
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 13 years ago from Salt Lake City and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Maple Ridge. It's pretty good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in construction. If you're in engineering you might struggle.
People: Generally underrated. It took about 16 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: excellent. Tons of options if you like Italian.
Hope this helps!.
17 upvotes
Axel Perez
Weather-wise, the summers are better than expected and winters are reasonable. You get used to it after the first year.
14 upvotes
Weston Allen
Used to live on the Maple Ridge side, now on the Downtown side. Completely different vibe. it's improved dramatically in recent years.
14 upvotes
Silas
Bought a house here in 2021 and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Property values have gone about the same since then.
13 upvotes
Natalie Hughes
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is school system. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Worth doing your research before committing.
11 upvotes
Serenity Cooper
great question, following
3 upvotes
Naomi Green
As someone who grew up here, it's exactly what I was looking for. A lot has changed in the past few years though. cost of living used to be much established but now it's pretty good.
1 upvotes
Declan Moore
Weather-wise, the summers are improving and winters are developing. You get used to it after the first year.
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