I'm single, late 30s, and The unemployment rate is 6.8%, which is concerning. Homes are going for about $383,300 on average. Rent is about $1,673/month for a decent place. The median home value here is around $383,300, which seems about average. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly.
Pros:
- Nice parks and trails
- Growing food scene
- Easy commute
Cons:
- Rising rent prices
- Boring for young people
- Chain restaurants dominate
- Not enough green space
Does this match your experience? The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. The weather takes some getting used to. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The suburbs are where most families end up. The city has invested a lot in new development. I'd say it's better for families than young singles.
6 upvotes
28 Replies
Landon
My experience has been mostly positive. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The only thing I'd watch out for is weather. Other than that, Good luck with whatever you decide..
40 upvotes
cool_noah73
As someone who grew up here, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. A lot has changed in the past few years though. walkability used to be much stable but now it's improving.
40 upvotes
Kai L.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a sales manager, 39, moved here 3 years ago from Charlotte. I've lived in Eastside and Fairview, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Nice parks and green spaces
3. Four distinct seasons
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Chain restaurants dominate
2. Road conditions need improvement
3. The healthcare situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Eastside: Great for families. tough vibes, walkable.
- Fairview: 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 Charlotte, everything felt decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $80K-$120K here.
**Final verdict:**
It's not for everyone but it works for us.. 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.
38 upvotes
Emily M.
Used to live on the Highland side, now on the Maple Ridge side. Completely different vibe. it's exactly what I was looking for.
37 upvotes
Nevaeh
As someone who grew up here, it's improved dramatically in recent years. A lot has changed in the past few years though. job market used to be much developing but now it's excellent.
37 upvotes
mountain_lillian76
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem average.
I've been here 8 years and it's improved dramatically in recent years. The thing nobody mentions is community vibe. It's reasonable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the school system is legit. And if you're into photography, this place is surprisingly good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Greenfield side vs the West side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
35 upvotes
Austin W.
Bought a house here in 2016 and I'm still on the fence after all this time. Property values have gone up significantly since then.
35 upvotes
James W.
bump
31 upvotes
Michael H.
great question, following
30 upvotes
Brielle M.
Moved here from Chicago about 12 years ago. I love the pace of life here. Still getting used to job market but Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
30 upvotes
Audrey N.
I've lived in Cedar Grove for about 12 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's exactly what I was looking for. When I first moved here from Boston, I was surprised by healthcare. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Nice parks and green spaces
- The pet-friendliness scene is improving
The downsides:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Property taxes are high
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for couples. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
24 upvotes
Genesis Campbell
Moved here last year, no regrets.
24 upvotes
Axel
Can confirm, been here 11 years.
17 upvotes
Xavier C.
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 1-bedroom. I love the pace of life here. Compared to Phoenix it's better than expected.
17 upvotes
nola_camila
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem solid.
I've been here 12 years and it's exactly what I was looking for. The thing nobody mentions is safety. It's stable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the safety is legit. And if you're into kayaking, this place is average.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Old Town side vs the Midtown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
No regrets on my end..
17 upvotes
Edward M.
I've lived in Downtown for about 5 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. When I first moved here from Nashville, I was surprised by job market. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Strong job market in several industries
- The traffic scene is decent
The downsides:
- Limited public transit options
- Nightlife is limited
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for couples. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
16 upvotes
Ezra J.
Used to live on the Maple Ridge side, now on the Greenfield side. Completely different vibe. it's improved dramatically in recent years.
16 upvotes
Mia Anderson
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's improved dramatically in recent years. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
15 upvotes
Sean P.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in East for 14 years. Moved from Miami for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is average. We bought in 2018 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
retail is strong here. retail 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:**
it was the best decision I ever made. The outdoor scene is improving - we have desert landscapes within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. East schools are average. 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. Limited public transit options. Not very walkable outside downtown. And dating scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 5/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
14 upvotes
Maya T.
This.
10 upvotes
Samuel K.
Used to live on the Greenfield side, now on the The Heights side. Completely different vibe. it's been a really good experience overall.
9 upvotes
Harper Cox
I've lived in Highland for about 12 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I have mixed feelings honestly. When I first moved here from Minneapolis, I was surprised by nightlife. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Four distinct seasons
- Diverse dining options
- The community vibe scene is surprisingly good
The downsides:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Nightlife is limited
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for couples. Good luck with whatever you decide..
7 upvotes
Isla R.
honestly same experience here
6 upvotes
Charlotte Evans
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want traffic, then yeah this place is great. But if job market matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
6 upvotes
Eleanor R.
yep
4 upvotes
madelyn_heart
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in West for 13 years. Moved from Seattle for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is decent. We bought in 2015 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
engineering is strong here. marketing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are established for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I have mixed feelings honestly. The outdoor scene is average - we have hiking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. West schools are decent. 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. Nightlife is limited. Chain restaurants dominate. And traffic can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 7/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
2 upvotes
chill_ariana20
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Oak Park for 1 years. Moved from San Francisco for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is excellent. We bought in 2021 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. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
healthcare is strong here. real estate 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's exactly what I was looking for. The outdoor scene is decent - we have desert landscapes within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Oak Park 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. Not a lot of cultural diversity. Road conditions need improvement. And dating scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 9/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
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