Hey everyone, I'm originally from Chicago and Median household income is $55,692, which feels about average for the area. The median home value here is around $233,700, which is actually reasonable. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Worth the trade-offs?
9 upvotes
8 Replies
Lily Hill
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a HR manager, 30, moved here 11 years ago from Phoenix. I've lived in Eastside and Oak Park, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Affordable housing options
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally hit or miss - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Dating scene is rough
3. The community vibe situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Eastside: Great for families. surprisingly good 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 Phoenix, everything felt underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $70K-$90K here.
**Final verdict:**
Definitely worth checking out.. 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.
29 upvotes
Brooks Kelly
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are average, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
27 upvotes
Aria Nguyen
As someone who grew up here, I love the pace of life here. A lot has changed in the past few years though. food scene used to be much pricey but now it's pretty good.
21 upvotes
lake_ezra55
lol so true
16 upvotes
Kinsley Torres
Public transit is challenging here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's improved dramatically in recent years.
13 upvotes
Aaliyah Morales
great question, following
12 upvotes
Aurora Jones
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is job market. it's not perfect but it works for me. Worth doing your research before committing.
11 upvotes
Roman W.
I work in education here and it's not perfect but it works for me. The job market for my field is tough. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
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