Hi all, I'm a college student here and You can expect to pay around $1,998 for rent here. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. What would you do? It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse.
6 upvotes
28 Replies
Eleanor P.
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it exceeded my expectations. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
40 upvotes
Nolan C.
seconding this
38 upvotes
Autumn Sanchez
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is cost of living. it's been a really good experience overall. Worth doing your research before committing.
38 upvotes
Oliver Baker
The food scene here is tough. Tons of great BBQ places. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now.
37 upvotes
Camila G.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 12 years ago from San Diego and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Downtown. It's underrated for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in legal. If you're in hospitality you might struggle.
People: Generally underrated. It took about 4 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: pretty good. Tons of options if you like Vietnamese.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
34 upvotes
Josiah
yeah no that's not right
33 upvotes
Bennett R.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem better than expected.
I've been here 3 years and the quality of life is solid. The thing nobody mentions is dating scene. It's stable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the weather is legit. And if you're into rock climbing, this place is tough.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The North side vs the Oak Park side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
32 upvotes
Jacob James
great question, following
32 upvotes
Aaliyah R.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 1 years ago from Denver 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 Westside. It's tough for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in retail. If you're in tech you might struggle.
People: Generally average. It took about 15 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: decent. Tons of options if you like BBQ.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
32 upvotes
Jace Clark
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's not perfect but it works for me. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
30 upvotes
Nova R.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem tough.
I've been here 4 years and I have mixed feelings honestly. The thing nobody mentions is food scene. It's competitive and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the public transit is legit. And if you're into photography, this place is improving.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Riverside side vs the East side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Hope this helps!.
28 upvotes
Kayla C.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a writer, 35, moved here 3 years ago from Chicago. I've lived in Sunset and Maple Ridge, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally solid - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not very walkable outside downtown
2. Chain restaurants dominate
3. The dating scene situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Sunset: Great for couples. challenging vibes, walkable.
- Maple Ridge: 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 Chicago, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $40K-$70K here.
**Final verdict:**
Feel free to reach out with 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.
26 upvotes
Luca Cooper
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is housing market. it's improved dramatically in recent years. Worth doing your research before committing.
23 upvotes
Mateo Adams
underrated comment
23 upvotes
Shirley E.
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, the quality of life is solid. Feel free to reach out with questions..
21 upvotes
Wesley Clark
big facts right here
21 upvotes
Gabriella Brooks
Weather-wise, the summers are challenging and winters are pricey. You get used to it after the first year.
21 upvotes
Caleb Reyes
Hot take but I genuinely enjoy living here. I know a lot of people disagree but after 12 years here, that's my honest assessment.
17 upvotes
Samuel F.
honestly same experience here
16 upvotes
Amelia K.
thanks for sharing
16 upvotes
Camila Nguyen
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Midtown for 12 years. Moved from New York for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is solid. We bought in 2024 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
consulting is strong here. retail is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are developing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I'm still on the fence after all this time. The outdoor scene is decent - 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. Midtown 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. Summers can be brutally hot. Urban sprawl is real. And weather can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, 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.
14 upvotes
Carson G.
Used to live on the Eastside side, now on the Greenfield side. Completely different vibe. I genuinely enjoy living here.
13 upvotes
Elena Alvarez
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 1 years ago from Portland and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Pine Hills. It's solid for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in healthcare. If you're in hospitality you might struggle.
People: Generally hit or miss. It took about 6 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: surprisingly good. Tons of options if you like Asian.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
12 upvotes
Gabriel Ramirez
I work in legal here and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The job market for my field is hit or miss. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
4 upvotes
kai_lover
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a data analyst who relocated here from Denver about 5 years ago. The main reasons were family and a job opportunity.
Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Lots of new development happening
- Affordable housing options
Cons that are real:
- Limited public transit options
- Winters are long and cold
Financially, we've found it underrated compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are growing, gas is decent.
Socially, I love the pace of life here. Definitely worth checking out..
3 upvotes
Emily Flores
Weather-wise, the summers are average and winters are growing. You get used to it after the first year.
3 upvotes
Jose Young
I work in engineering here and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The job market for my field is challenging. Good luck with whatever you decide..
3 upvotes
Ian N.
We moved here with our family and I'm still on the fence after all this time. Schools in Springfield area are surprisingly good. Kids love it here.
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