Hey everyone, We have two kids and Rent is about $1,173/month for a decent place. The median home value here is around $237,700, which is actually reasonable. The weather takes some getting used to. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Am I overthinking this? Thanks in advance! It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look.
6 upvotes
9 Replies
Maverick P.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a HR manager who relocated here from Baltimore about 15 years ago. The main reasons were cost of living and work.
Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Good schools in most areas
- Good airport with direct flights
Cons that are real:
- Road conditions need improvement
- Can feel isolated
Financially, we've found it better than expected compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are manageable, gas is pretty good.
Socially, it's been a really good experience overall. Good luck with whatever you decide..
40 upvotes
phoenix_elena
Used to live on the Oak Park side, now on the Pine Hills side. Completely different vibe. it's been a really good experience overall.
40 upvotes
lapapa2021
Totally agree!
38 upvotes
Gabriella
Weather-wise, the summers are surprisingly good and winters are established. You get used to it after the first year.
33 upvotes
Camila Ruiz
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's exactly what I was looking for. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
16 upvotes
Skylar Anderson
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a teacher, 43, moved here 11 years ago from LA. I've lived in East and Greenfield, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Good schools in most areas
3. Good healthcare facilities
4. The people are generally hit or miss - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The community vibe situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- East: Great for families. pretty good vibes, walkable.
- Greenfield: 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 LA, everything felt excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $80K-$100K here.
**Final verdict:**
It's not for everyone but it works for us.. 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.
16 upvotes
Arianna Turner
I've lived in Downtown for about 3 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it exceeded my expectations. 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
- Good healthcare facilities
- The food scene scene is challenging
The downsides:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Can feel isolated
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for families. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
15 upvotes
Hudson Morris
same here
7 upvotes
Christina B.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value dating scene, you'll love it. The food scene is genuinely hit or miss and I've found it's improved dramatically in recent years. My neighborhood (The Heights) is developing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Denver, be prepared for the culture shock. nightlife is completely different here. And Traffic during rush hour is rough.
My advice would be to visit for at least a week before committing. Rent first, don't buy. And explore multiple neighborhoods - they're all different.
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