Anyone else feel this way? We're a young couple and Poverty rate is 8.2%, which is pretty low. The suburbs are where most families end up. Thoughts? People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. The food scene here is surprisingly good. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods.
23 upvotes
17 Replies
Samantha S.
glad someone said it
40 upvotes
Jackson A.
The food scene here is excellent. Tons of great Southern places. it's not perfect but it works for me.
37 upvotes
Emmett James
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 13 years ago from Seattle 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 Greenfield. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in marketing. If you're in education you might struggle.
People: Generally tough. It took about 16 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: improving. Tons of options if you like farm-to-table.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
34 upvotes
Kai Torres
Bought a house here in 2020 and I love the pace of life here. Property values have gone up significantly since then.
29 upvotes
Eva Reyes
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a accountant who relocated here from Dallas about 14 years ago. The main reasons were work and family.
Pros I've experienced:
- Active local events and festivals
- Diverse dining options
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Nightlife is limited
- Far from beaches/mountains
Financially, we've found it better than expected compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are competitive, gas is tough.
Socially, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Good luck with whatever you decide..
29 upvotes
Luke T.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Midtown for 13 years. Moved from Seattle for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is decent. We bought in 2017 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
engineering is strong here. construction is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are developing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The outdoor scene is hit or miss - we have lakes within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Midtown schools are improving. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.
**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Winters are long and cold. Not a lot of cultural diversity. And safety can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 6/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
24 upvotes
Janice N.
following this thread
23 upvotes
Brooklyn Gomez
I'm a data analyst and I've found the quality of life is solid. The community is pretty good and there's always something going on.
23 upvotes
Clara Sanders
seconding this
18 upvotes
Adam Myers
My experience has been mostly positive. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The only thing I'd watch out for is school system. Other than that, Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
18 upvotes
Emma G.
I work in construction here and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The job market for my field is pretty good. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
14 upvotes
Axel
As someone who grew up here, it was the best decision I ever made. A lot has changed in the past few years though. nightlife used to be much established but now it's surprisingly good.
14 upvotes
Luna S.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 13 years ago from Charlotte and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Oak Park. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in finance. If you're in manufacturing you might struggle.
People: Generally tough. It took about 10 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: solid. Tons of options if you like Thai.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
12 upvotes
Sophie Richardson
glad someone said it
11 upvotes
Dylan Hill
My experience has been mostly positive. I'm still on the fence after all this time. The only thing I'd watch out for is weather. Other than that, Hope this helps!.
9 upvotes
real_leo53
Came here for cost of living and stayed because there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The outdoor recreation is honestly average and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
All Countries
