Not sure if this has been asked before, but Born and raised here. Thoughts? I'd say it's better for families than young singles.
4 upvotes
23 Replies
Brooklyn Ward
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a marketing manager who relocated here from New York about 12 years ago. The main reasons were family and a fresh start.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good schools in most areas
- Good healthcare facilities
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Nightlife is limited
- Urban sprawl is real
Financially, we've found it pretty good compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are wild, gas is hit or miss.
Socially, I have mixed feelings honestly. No regrets on my end..
40 upvotes
Nova Bailey
I've lived in Meadowbrook for about 10 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. When I first moved here from Miami, I was surprised by weather. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Decent public transit for the size
- The public transit scene is excellent
The downsides:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for singles. Feel free to reach out with questions..
39 upvotes
Liam Patel
As someone who grew up here, I'm still on the fence after all this time. A lot has changed in the past few years though. food scene used to be much competitive but now it's underrated.
39 upvotes
Zoey G.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem hit or miss.
I've been here 8 years and I genuinely enjoy living here. The thing nobody mentions is nightlife. It's developing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the public transit is legit. And if you're into mountain biking, this place is pretty good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Old Town side vs the North side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Hope this helps!.
37 upvotes
Peyton Williams
Used to live on the Oak Park side, now on the North side. Completely different vibe. I genuinely enjoy living here.
36 upvotes
Joseph Jackson
bump
32 upvotes
Greyson Jones
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want school system, then yeah this place is great. But if food scene matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
31 upvotes
Piper Stewart
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a project manager, 58, moved here 15 years ago from Phoenix. I've lived in Downtown and South, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Active local events and festivals
3. Four distinct seasons
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not a lot of cultural diversity
2. Limited shopping options
3. The school system situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Downtown: Great for remote workers. decent 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 average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $100K-$80K here.
**Final verdict:**
Good luck with whatever you decide.. 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.
30 upvotes
Vivian H.
We moved here with our family and the quality of life is solid. Schools in Uptown area are challenging. Kids love it here.
27 upvotes
Nevaeh Johnson
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem average.
I've been here 15 years and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The thing nobody mentions is healthcare. It's stable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the nightlife is legit. And if you're into surfing, this place is decent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Sunset side vs the Springfield side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
25 upvotes
Ezra Y.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want cost of living, then yeah this place is great. But if outdoor recreation matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
23 upvotes
Greyson Clark
Can confirm, been here 7 years.
18 upvotes
Mia Mendoza
Moved here from Atlanta about 9 years ago. it's been a really good experience overall. Still getting used to cultural scene but Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
17 upvotes
Silas Bennett
Saving this thread
16 upvotes
Jordan Carter
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 cost of living. Other than that, Would recommend to anyone considering it..
15 upvotes
Kai Moore
I work in education here and it's not perfect but it works for me. The job market for my field is solid. Good luck with whatever you decide..
13 upvotes
Lucas King
I've been living here for 5 years and I'd say it exceeded my expectations. The pet-friendliness is excellent compared to other places I've lived. Overall Good luck with whatever you decide..
12 upvotes
Hannah M.
haha yep pretty much
11 upvotes
Adeline
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want job market, then yeah this place is great. But if dating scene matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
8 upvotes
Ezra
lol so true
7 upvotes
Mateo L.
I'm a social worker and I've found it's exactly what I was looking for. The community is tough and there's always something going on.
2 upvotes
Kaylee Edwards
I'm a writer and I've found I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The community is underrated and there's always something going on.
1 upvotes
Benjamin
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 13 years ago from LA and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Oak Park. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in consulting. If you're in healthcare you might struggle.
People: Generally pretty good. It took about 5 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: average. Tons of options if you like Asian.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
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