Homes are going for about $218,300 on average. Average temperature is around 46--F, so expect cold winters. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The weather takes some getting used to. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Has anyone dealt with this? The food scene here is surprisingly good. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The food scene here is surprisingly good. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The city has invested a lot in new development. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Night life is decent if you know the right spots.
6 upvotes
7 Replies
Maverick Hernandez
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a project manager, 33, moved here 13 years ago from Seattle. I've lived in Meadowbrook and Oak Park, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Nice parks and green spaces
3. Active local events and festivals
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Chain restaurants dominate
3. The food scene situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Meadowbrook: Great for couples. challenging vibes, walkable.
- Oak Park: 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 Seattle, everything felt hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $50K-$100K 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.
40 upvotes
Noah Gray
Public transit is average here. You'll probably need a car for most things. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
36 upvotes
Lillian Morgan
Hot take but I'm still on the fence after all this time. I know a lot of people disagree but after 13 years here, that's my honest assessment.
31 upvotes
Austin Davis
The food scene here is challenging. Tons of great Indian places. it's improved dramatically in recent years.
29 upvotes
Lydia C.
following this thread
20 upvotes
Violet Anderson
Public transit is solid here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now.
16 upvotes
Santiago N.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a electrician who relocated here from Baltimore about 4 years ago. The main reasons were a fresh start and retirement.
Pros I've experienced:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Lots of new development happening
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Limited public transit options
- Chain restaurants dominate
Financially, we've found it hit or miss compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are manageable, gas is challenging.
Socially, I love the pace of life here. Happy to answer more specific questions..
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