I'm a teacher here and The median home value here is around $598,100, which is pretty steep. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. The suburbs are where most families end up. What neighborhoods would you suggest? There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. The food scene here is surprisingly good. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level.
44 upvotes
15 Replies
Rylee Ortiz
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are solid, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
38 upvotes
Valentina Williams
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want pet-friendliness, then yeah this place is great. But if walkability matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
31 upvotes
Willow Miller
Weather-wise, the summers are solid and winters are pricey. You get used to it after the first year.
30 upvotes
Jordan A.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 11 years ago from Houston and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Cedar Grove. It's decent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in legal. If you're in manufacturing you might struggle.
People: Generally average. It took about 17 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like farm-to-table.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
25 upvotes
Emmett Rivera
Bought a house here in 2016 and it was the best decision I ever made. Property values have gone about the same since then.
21 upvotes
Robert H.
I'm a data analyst and I've found it's been a really good experience overall. The community is average and there's always something going on.
17 upvotes
Autumn Turner
this is the way
15 upvotes
Isabella Turner
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem tough.
I've been here 15 years and it's been a really good experience overall. The thing nobody mentions is nightlife. It's reasonable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the healthcare is legit. And if you're into fishing, this place is solid.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Oak Park side vs the South side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Hope this helps!.
15 upvotes
Camila Rivera
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in The Heights for 6 years. Moved from Miami for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is challenging. We bought in 2016 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
finance 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:**
it's improved dramatically in recent years. The outdoor scene is excellent - 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. The Heights schools are better than expected. 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. Dating scene is rough. And dating scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 9/10. Hope this helps!. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
13 upvotes
Bella Hall
I've lived in The Heights for about 6 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's exactly what I was looking for. When I first moved here from Nashville, I was surprised by healthcare. 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 dating scene scene is excellent
The downsides:
- Winters are long and cold
- Road conditions need improvement
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for couples. Definitely worth checking out..
13 upvotes
Mia Young
I've lived in Riverside for about 13 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's not perfect but it works for me. When I first moved here from San Francisco, I was surprised by pet-friendliness. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- The outdoor recreation scene is solid
The downsides:
- Property taxes are high
- Dating scene is rough
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for young professionals. No regrets on my end..
7 upvotes
Bella
The food scene here is excellent. Tons of great Italian places. it's not perfect but it works for me.