Hello, I'm a remote worker and You can expect to pay around $1,889 for rent here. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Is this normal for Plainfield? The suburbs are where most families end up. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years.
25 upvotes
26 Replies
Miles Ross
I've lived in West for about 5 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I love the pace of life here. When I first moved here from Boston, I was surprised by nightlife. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Good healthcare facilities
- The walkability scene is better than expected
The downsides:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Nightlife is limited
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for couples. Happy to answer more specific questions..
40 upvotes
Mateo Stewart
Hot take but I'm still on the fence after all this time. I know a lot of people disagree but after 2 years here, that's my honest assessment.
36 upvotes
Aaron Davis
Totally agree!
35 upvotes
Isla Gonzalez
glad someone said it
33 upvotes
Mia Roberts
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want cultural scene, then yeah this place is great. But if healthcare matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
32 upvotes
David
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are underrated, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
32 upvotes
Joyce F.
As someone who grew up here, it was the best decision I ever made. A lot has changed in the past few years though. public transit used to be much reasonable but now it's surprisingly good.
31 upvotes
Amelia Wood
+1
23 upvotes
Alice Chavez
The food scene here is better than expected. Tons of great Italian places. I love the pace of life here.
23 upvotes
Charlotte
As someone who grew up here, it's not perfect but it works for me. A lot has changed in the past few years though. healthcare used to be much pricey but now it's underrated.
22 upvotes
urban_brooklyn15
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's exactly what I was looking for. Internet is average in most areas.
22 upvotes
Brooklyn
My experience has been mostly positive. it's improved dramatically in recent years. The only thing I'd watch out for is food scene. Other than that, Would recommend to anyone considering it..
21 upvotes
Amelia Lewis
wish I knew this sooner
19 upvotes
Paisley Rodriguez
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a sales manager, 33, moved here 1 years ago from Minneapolis. I've lived in Highland and Oak Park, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Great outdoor activities nearby
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Not very walkable outside downtown
3. The dating scene situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Highland: Great for singles. pretty 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 Minneapolis, everything felt decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $80K-$150K 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.
18 upvotes
Jacob Collins
wish I knew this sooner
16 upvotes
Owen Edwards
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value school system, you'll love it. The safety is genuinely average and I've found it's improved dramatically in recent years. My neighborhood (The Heights) is manageable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Houston, be prepared for the culture shock. weather is completely different here. And Summers can be brutally hot.
My advice would be to visit for at least a week before committing. Rent first, don't buy. And explore multiple neighborhoods - they're all different.
16 upvotes
Nicholas Cooper
Used to live on the Meadowbrook side, now on the Midtown side. Completely different vibe. it was the best decision I ever made.
15 upvotes
Kai Cook
nah I disagree
13 upvotes
Isabelle Long
Weather-wise, the summers are solid and winters are affordable. You get used to it after the first year.
13 upvotes
Ava Cruz
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are solid, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
12 upvotes
Camila
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a project manager, 49, moved here 3 years ago from Dallas. I've lived in The Heights and Downtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Nice parks and green spaces
2. Lots of new development happening
3. Good internet infrastructure
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Limited shopping options
3. The outdoor recreation situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- The Heights: Great for families. hit or miss vibes, walkable.
- Downtown: 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 Dallas, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $80K-$80K 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.
12 upvotes
Serenity Anderson
honestly same experience here
12 upvotes
Eliana King
Moved here from Chicago about 10 years ago. it's not perfect but it works for me. Still getting used to cost of living but Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
9 upvotes
Natalie Sanders
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 8 years ago from Houston and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Midtown. It's solid for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in tech. If you're in real estate you might struggle.
People: Generally decent. It took about 6 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: solid. Tons of options if you like sushi.
Hope this helps!.
6 upvotes
Waylon Hall
this is the way
4 upvotes
William Brooks
Came here for weather and stayed because it's been a really good experience overall. The food scene is honestly pretty good and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
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