The median home value here is around $59,300, which is actually reasonable. Average temperature is around 75--F, so it's warm year-round. The suburbs are where most families end up. Would love some local perspective. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much.
14 upvotes
15 Replies
Olivia R.
Used to live on the Midtown side, now on the Oak Park side. Completely different vibe. it's not perfect but it works for me.
39 upvotes
Leah Hall
couldn't agree more
38 upvotes
Linda M.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a lawyer who relocated here from Minneapolis about 4 years ago. The main reasons were family and school.
Pros I've experienced:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Strong sense of community
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Property taxes are high
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
Financially, we've found it surprisingly good compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are wild, gas is excellent.
Socially, it's improved dramatically in recent years. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
33 upvotes
Natalie R.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem pretty good.
I've been here 8 years and I love the pace of life here. The thing nobody mentions is healthcare. It's growing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the community vibe is legit. And if you're into skiing, this place is excellent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Springfield side vs the Fairview side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
No regrets on my end..
32 upvotes
Hailey
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a lawyer, 29, moved here 14 years ago from Charlotte. I've lived in Meadowbrook and North, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Four distinct seasons
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Nightlife is limited
3. The weather situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Meadowbrook: Great for couples. pretty good vibes, walkable.
- North: 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 pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $70K-$120K here.
**Final verdict:**
Happy to answer more specific questions.. 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.
31 upvotes
Thomas Morales
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a HR manager, 32, moved here 15 years ago from Salt Lake City. I've lived in Old Town and Fairview, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Active local events and festivals
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Limited shopping options
3. The traffic situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Old Town: Great for families. solid 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 Salt Lake City, everything felt average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $70K-$90K here.
**Final verdict:**
Hope this helps!. 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.
24 upvotes
Isabelle Ruiz
I've lived in Sunset for about 15 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's been a really good experience overall. When I first moved here from Charlotte, I was surprised by outdoor recreation. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Active local events and festivals
- The weather scene is pretty good
The downsides:
- Property taxes are high
- Limited shopping options
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for families. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
24 upvotes
Alexa J.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a electrician who relocated here from Charlotte about 1 years ago. The main reasons were work and my partner's job.
Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Good healthcare facilities
Cons that are real:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Road conditions need improvement
Financially, we've found it improving compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are competitive, gas is tough.
Socially, I have mixed feelings honestly. Definitely worth checking out..
23 upvotes
Ryan S.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a accountant who relocated here from San Diego about 7 years ago. The main reasons were a job opportunity and school.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good healthcare facilities
- Decent public transit for the size
- Strong job market in several industries
Cons that are real:
- Nightlife is limited
- Property taxes are high
Financially, we've found it better than expected compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are established, gas is underrated.
Socially, I love the pace of life here. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
22 upvotes
Bella Hughes
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a physical therapist, 35, moved here 12 years ago from Tampa. I've lived in East and Sunset, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Lots of new development happening
2. Four distinct seasons
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Can feel isolated
2. Limited shopping options
3. The weather situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- East: Great for families. solid vibes, walkable.
- Sunset: 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 Tampa, everything felt improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $70K-$140K here.
**Final verdict:**
Hope this helps!. 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.
22 upvotes
Alexander B.
literally same
18 upvotes
Levi Sanders
Moved here from Seattle about 7 years ago. I genuinely enjoy living here. Still getting used to community vibe but Happy to answer more specific questions..
10 upvotes
Arianna Davis
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 7 years ago from Portland and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in West. It's surprisingly good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is reasonable right now, especially in construction. If you're in education you might struggle.
People: Generally better than expected. It took about 6 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: pretty good. Tons of options if you like farm-to-table.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
4 upvotes
Alexander Taylor
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a marketing manager who relocated here from Austin about 2 years ago. The main reasons were my partner's job and a job opportunity.
Pros I've experienced:
- Lots of new development happening
- Diverse dining options
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Winters are long and cold
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Financially, we've found it excellent compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are competitive, gas is decent.
Socially, it exceeded my expectations. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
2 upvotes
Ralph W.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 15 years ago from LA and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in North. It's tough for what you get.
Jobs: The market is reasonable right now, especially in engineering. If you're in manufacturing you might struggle.
People: Generally surprisingly good. It took about 3 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: improving. Tons of options if you like farm-to-table.
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