Alright, Median household income is $78,869, which feels about average for the area. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Would love some local perspective.
57 upvotes
25 Replies
cincy_grace
bump
39 upvotes
Ariana Harris
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Midtown for 1 years. Moved from San Diego for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is decent. We bought in 2024 at k and it's now worth up a bit 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:**
marketing is strong here. construction is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are stable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it was the best decision I ever made. The outdoor scene is underrated - we have mountains 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 excellent. 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 high-paying job options. Far from beaches/mountains. And walkability can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 6/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
36 upvotes
William Turner
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a project manager who relocated here from San Diego about 1 years ago. The main reasons were work and cost of living.
Pros I've experienced:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Strong job market in several industries
- Active local events and festivals
Cons that are real:
- Limited public transit options
- Limited entertainment options
Financially, we've found it decent compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are pricey, gas is challenging.
Socially, I'm still on the fence after all this time. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
36 upvotes
Adeline T.
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 4-bedroom. it's exactly what I was looking for. Compared to Portland it's pretty good.
31 upvotes
Benjamin C.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 5 years ago from Pittsburgh and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Highland. It's pretty good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is reasonable right now, especially in hospitality. If you're in retail you might struggle.
People: Generally hit or miss. It took about 16 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: surprisingly good. Tons of options if you like Vietnamese.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
29 upvotes
Zoe P.
As someone who grew up here, I love the pace of life here. A lot has changed in the past few years though. dating scene used to be much developing but now it's improving.
25 upvotes
Zoe Diaz
We moved here with our family and the quality of life is solid. Schools in Oak Park area are underrated. Kids love it here.
23 upvotes
Liam Ross
I work in education here and I love the pace of life here. The job market for my field is hit or miss. Definitely worth checking out..
22 upvotes
Daniel Clark
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want cost of living, then yeah this place is great. But if food scene matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
20 upvotes
jaxon_life
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. the quality of life is solid. Internet is surprisingly good in most areas.
19 upvotes
Brooks White
this is the way
19 upvotes
Luke Cox
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in North for 3 years. Moved from Chicago for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is improving. We bought in 2015 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
finance is strong here. government is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are wild for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it was the best decision I ever made. The outdoor scene is excellent - we have beaches 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 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. Limited high-paying job options. Far from beaches/mountains. And cultural scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 6/10. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
18 upvotes
Silas
nah I disagree
16 upvotes
Luna
Bought a house here in 2020 and the quality of life is solid. Property values have gone about the same since then.
16 upvotes
Isla Williams
The food scene here is decent. Tons of great Italian places. it's not perfect but it works for me.
13 upvotes
aria_lover
Bought a house here in 2015 and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
11 upvotes
Abigail Brooks
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 2-bedroom. the quality of life is solid. Compared to New York it's surprisingly good.
10 upvotes
Naomi Morales
yep
9 upvotes
Aria Collins
Hot take but I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. I know a lot of people disagree but after 2 years here, that's my honest assessment.
9 upvotes
Amelia K.
Public transit is underrated here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's not perfect but it works for me.
6 upvotes
Aria
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want dating scene, then yeah this place is great. But if outdoor recreation matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
5 upvotes
Oliver Martin
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a electrician, 40, moved here 12 years ago from Phoenix. I've lived in Meadowbrook and South, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Close to major attractions
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Chain restaurants dominate
2. Dating scene is rough
3. The cost of living situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Meadowbrook: Great for singles. tough 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 Phoenix, everything felt improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $50K-$130K 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.
4 upvotes
Alice Cox
Used to live on the Fairview side, now on the Oak Park side. Completely different vibe. it's been a really good experience overall.
3 upvotes
Lucas Foster
Weather-wise, the summers are improving and winters are pricey. You get used to it after the first year.
2 upvotes
Clara Nguyen
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem better than expected.
I've been here 14 years and it's exactly what I was looking for. The thing nobody mentions is school system. It's wild and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the housing market is legit. And if you're into kayaking, this place is improving.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Midtown side vs the East side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
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