Not sure if this has been asked before, but Household incomes average around $63,983 in Perry. Homes are going for about $122,100 on average. Poverty rate is 8.5%, which is pretty low. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Anyone in a similar situation? The city has invested a lot in new development. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable.
13 upvotes
14 Replies
Nova Smith
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 3 years ago from San Francisco and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Riverside. It's underrated for what you get.
Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in education. If you're in engineering you might struggle.
People: Generally excellent. It took about 13 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like BBQ.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
39 upvotes
Eli Kelly
Used to live on the East side, now on the Riverside side. Completely different vibe. I'm still on the fence after all this time.
37 upvotes
Ava Nelson
been saying this for years
35 upvotes
Jayden Roberts
I'm a lawyer and I've found I genuinely enjoy living here. The community is better than expected and there's always something going on.
34 upvotes
Leonardo Jackson
Came here for retirement and stayed because it's improved dramatically in recent years. The cultural scene is honestly tough and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
31 upvotes
Grace Martinez
Came here for weather and stayed because it's not perfect but it works for me. The nightlife is honestly tough and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
31 upvotes
Valentina Anderson
haha yep pretty much
31 upvotes
Clara Nelson
Used to live on the Highland side, now on the Oak Park side. Completely different vibe. I genuinely enjoy living here.
28 upvotes
Nancy C.
Hot take but I genuinely enjoy living here. I know a lot of people disagree but after 7 years here, that's my honest assessment.
21 upvotes
Nevaeh
it depends on the neighborhood
21 upvotes
Chloe Long
bump
19 upvotes
Angel Howard
Moved here from Boston about 5 years ago. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Still getting used to healthcare but It's not for everyone but it works for us..
16 upvotes
Piper Hall
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a sales manager, 26, moved here 9 years ago from Pittsburgh. I've lived in Oak Park and South, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Growing food and restaurant scene
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. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Winters are long and cold
3. The public transit situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Oak Park: Great for young professionals. better than expected vibes, walkable.
- South: 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 Pittsburgh, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $90K-$120K here.
**Final verdict:**
Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. 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
Miles C.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a lawyer, 56, moved here 13 years ago from Houston. I've lived in Downtown and Oak Park, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good healthcare facilities
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Good airport with direct flights
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. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The cultural scene situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Downtown: Great for retirees. decent vibes, walkable.
- Oak Park: 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 Houston, everything felt average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $50K-$110K here.
**Final verdict:**
Feel free to reach out with questions.. 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.
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