I've been here for 17 years and Median household income is $72,699, which feels about average for the area. You can expect to pay around $1,209 for rent here. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. The suburbs are where most families end up. What do you all think? Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Property taxes are high but you get good services. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The weather takes some getting used to. The suburbs are where most families end up. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Night life is decent if you know the right spots.
28 upvotes
13 Replies
Greyson Evans
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 5 years ago from Boston 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 Pine Hills. It's improving for what you get.
Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in tech. If you're in real estate you might struggle.
People: Generally surprisingly good. It took about 14 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: better than expected. Tons of options if you like BBQ.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
40 upvotes
Evelyn Clark
hmm interesting perspective
38 upvotes
Heather P.
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is housing market. it's been a really good experience overall. Worth doing your research before committing.
32 upvotes
Olivia H.
hmm interesting perspective
32 upvotes
Sophie A.
We moved here with our family and it exceeded my expectations. Schools in Pine Hills area are improving. Kids love it here.
31 upvotes
Chloe King
Public transit is challenging here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's not perfect but it works for me.
29 upvotes
Willow Bailey
seconding this
29 upvotes
Isabella Cruz
We moved here with our family and I genuinely enjoy living here. Schools in Midtown area are solid. Kids love it here.
29 upvotes
Avery
Came here for retirement and stayed because it's been a really good experience overall. The traffic is honestly decent and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
23 upvotes
Noah Castillo
Came here for quality of life and stayed because I love the pace of life here. The weather is honestly surprisingly good and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
14 upvotes
Olivia Sanchez
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a software engineer, 44, moved here 8 years ago from Chicago. I've lived in Oak Park and Highland, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Nice parks and green spaces
2. Lots of new development happening
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally hit or miss - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Urban sprawl is real
3. The cultural scene situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Oak Park: Great for families. underrated vibes, walkable.
- Highland: 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 excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $50K-$110K here.
**Final verdict:**
Good luck with whatever you decide.. 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.
7 upvotes
milwaukee_delilah
bump
3 upvotes
Elijah A.
I work in consulting here and I genuinely enjoy living here. The job market for my field is challenging. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
All Countries
