Hi all, I'm a teacher here and The median home value here is around $603,200, which is pretty steep. It's a a small town city with about 18,538 people. Homes are going for about $603,200 on average. The weather takes some getting used to. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Thoughts? The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The city has invested a lot in new development. The food scene here is surprisingly good. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The city has invested a lot in new development. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. The weather takes some getting used to. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The city has invested a lot in new development. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. It's not perfect, but the community is solid.
15 upvotes
5 Replies
Kai Brooks
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a contractor, 54, moved here 13 years ago from Pittsburgh. I've lived in Oak Park and Eastside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Limited high-paying job options
3. The school system situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Oak Park: Great for couples. improving vibes, walkable.
- Eastside: 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 Pittsburgh, everything felt improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $80K-$120K 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.
39 upvotes
Hailey Ortiz
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 3 years ago from LA and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Meadowbrook. It's challenging for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in government. If you're in education you might struggle.
People: Generally tough. It took about 7 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like Korean.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
39 upvotes
john_heart
My experience has been mostly positive. it's improved dramatically in recent years. The only thing I'd watch out for is safety. Other than that, Hope this helps!.
23 upvotes
Jackson
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in East for 10 years. Moved from Baltimore for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is pretty good. We bought in 2015 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
education is strong here. education 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:**
I have mixed feelings honestly. The outdoor scene is average - we have ski resorts 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 improving. 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 outdoor recreation can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 8/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
17 upvotes
Bennett King
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a physical therapist, 29, moved here 15 years ago from Nashville. I've lived in Springfield and Midtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Four distinct seasons
3. Close to major attractions
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Can feel isolated
2. Limited shopping options
3. The walkability situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Springfield: Great for young professionals. improving vibes, walkable.
- Midtown: 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 Nashville, everything felt excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $50K-$80K here.
**Final verdict:**
No regrets on my end.. 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.
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