Hi all, The unemployment rate is 1.2%, which is pretty low. You can expect to pay around $1,447 for rent here. The weather takes some getting used to. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. What are your go-to spots? It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level.
15 upvotes
9 Replies
Alexa G.
This.
39 upvotes
Charlotte Mendoza
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem tough.
I've been here 9 years and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The thing nobody mentions is pet-friendliness. It's manageable 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 improving.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Sunset side vs the Highland side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
19 upvotes
Benjamin Carter
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Hope this helps!.
12 upvotes
Chloe Morgan
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem improving.
I've been here 9 years and it exceeded my expectations. The thing nobody mentions is community vibe. It's pricey and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the housing market is legit. And if you're into skiing, this place is challenging.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Pine Hills side vs the Old Town side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
No regrets on my end..
12 upvotes
Andrew Cooper
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 1-bedroom. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Compared to Atlanta it's decent.
12 upvotes
Claire T.
Used to live on the Sunset side, now on the Oak Park side. Completely different vibe. I genuinely enjoy living here.
8 upvotes
Emilia Gray
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want traffic, then yeah this place is great. But if outdoor recreation matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
5 upvotes
Valentina Castillo
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value cultural scene, you'll love it. The safety is genuinely underrated and I've found it's not perfect but it works for me. My neighborhood (Meadowbrook) is pricey and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Houston, be prepared for the culture shock. job market is completely different here. And Not very walkable outside downtown.
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.
2 upvotes
Santiago Campbell
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 3-bed in North. It's decent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in legal. If you're in engineering you might struggle.
People: Generally hit or miss. It took about 15 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like Mexican.
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