First post here. I'm a nurse at the local hospital and You can expect to pay around $1,705 for rent here. The median home value here is around $474,700, which is pretty steep. The suburbs are where most families end up. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Night life is decent if you know the right spots.
1 upvotes
18 Replies
Beverly B.
seconding this
38 upvotes
Julia M.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 3 years ago from Miami and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in East. It's decent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in manufacturing. If you're in government you might struggle.
People: Generally hit or miss. It took about 14 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: improving. Tons of options if you like Mexican.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
37 upvotes
Harper J.
good to know, thanks
27 upvotes
Eliana G.
Moved here from Charlotte about 9 years ago. it's been a really good experience overall. Still getting used to walkability but Feel free to reach out with questions..
25 upvotes
Jackson Gomez
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem better than expected.
I've been here 15 years and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The thing nobody mentions is community vibe. It's established and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the weather is legit. And if you're into fishing, this place is excellent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Pine Hills side vs the Cedar Grove side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
22 upvotes
Sarah Ruiz
Used to live on the The Heights side, now on the Greenfield side. Completely different vibe. I love the pace of life here.
21 upvotes
Joseph Perez
Totally agree!
20 upvotes
Isabelle K.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in North for 14 years. Moved from Boston for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is excellent. We bought in 2022 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. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
engineering is strong here. retail is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are reasonable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
the quality of life is solid. The outdoor scene is solid - 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. North schools are underrated. 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. Traffic during rush hour is rough. Limited public transit options. And dating scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 9/10. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
20 upvotes
Asher Torres
Came here for work and stayed because I genuinely enjoy living here. The safety is honestly underrated and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
15 upvotes
Leonardo Ramos
not my experience at all
14 upvotes
Ezra Wright
nah I disagree
10 upvotes
Eleanor
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem challenging.
I've been here 14 years and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The thing nobody mentions is traffic. It's manageable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the job market is legit. And if you're into skiing, this place is tough.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The North side vs the Old Town side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
9 upvotes
Kinsley Lee
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem pretty good.
I've been here 4 years and it's improved dramatically in recent years. The thing nobody mentions is school system. It's established and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the community vibe is legit. And if you're into golfing, this place is tough.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Oak Park side vs the The Heights side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
6 upvotes
josiah_vibes
My experience has been mostly positive. it's improved dramatically in recent years. The only thing I'd watch out for is pet-friendliness. Other than that, Hope this helps!.
6 upvotes
Gabriella Martinez
Moved here from Seattle about 3 years ago. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Still getting used to nightlife but Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
4 upvotes
Nancy R.
it depends on the neighborhood
4 upvotes
Peyton Turner
I work in consulting here and I genuinely enjoy living here. The job market for my field is solid. No regrets on my end..
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