I'm a nurse at the local hospital and You can expect to pay around $840 for rent here. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The weather takes some getting used to. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The suburbs are where most families end up. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly.
13 upvotes
12 Replies
Julian S.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a HR manager, 55, moved here 5 years ago from Miami. I've lived in Oak Park and South, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Diverse dining options
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally solid - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not very walkable outside downtown
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The housing market situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Oak Park: Great for retirees. challenging 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 Miami, everything felt improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $80K-$100K here.
**Final verdict:**
Happy to answer more specific 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.
39 upvotes
local_scarlett95
been saying this for years
37 upvotes
Addison C.
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 2-bedroom. it's exactly what I was looking for. Compared to New York it's decent.
35 upvotes
Brooklyn J.
honestly same experience here
32 upvotes
austinlife2020
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Downtown for 13 years. Moved from Raleigh for family. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is challenging. We bought in 2019 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
tech is strong here. hospitality is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are growing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it exceeded my expectations. The outdoor scene is solid - we have state parks within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Downtown schools are solid. 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. Rising rent and home prices. Homeless population growing downtown. And cost of living can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 7/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
26 upvotes
Leah Thompson
spot on
25 upvotes
Aaron
this is the way
16 upvotes
Katherine M.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 3 years ago from Minneapolis and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Old Town. It's pretty good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in education. If you're in real estate you might struggle.
People: Generally hit or miss. It took about 12 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: decent. Tons of options if you like seafood.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
14 upvotes
Joseph Hall
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem underrated.
I've been here 10 years and it's improved dramatically in recent years. The thing nobody mentions is outdoor recreation. It's developing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the traffic is legit. And if you're into photography, this place is decent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Midtown side vs the Oak Park side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
12 upvotes
Piper Gray
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are surprisingly good, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
7 upvotes
nashville_ella
yep
2 upvotes
wild_ezekiel89
I'm a lawyer and I've found I have mixed feelings honestly. The community is surprisingly good and there's always something going on.
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