Alright, I'm retired and The median home value here is around $78,200, which is actually reasonable. Poverty rate is 27.6%, which is higher than I expected. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. What would you do? The weather takes some getting used to. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. I'd say it's better for families than young singles.
12 upvotes
11 Replies
santiago_rider
Used to live on the The Heights side, now on the Oak Park side. Completely different vibe. the quality of life is solid.
39 upvotes
Isaac M.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a data analyst, 40, moved here 5 years ago from Chicago. I've lived in Springfield and Eastside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Good airport with direct flights
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not a lot of cultural diversity
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The nightlife situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Springfield: Great for retirees. better than expected vibes, walkable.
- Eastside: 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 pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $90K-$140K here.
**Final verdict:**
Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. 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.
37 upvotes
Sophie
underrated comment
34 upvotes
sarah_rider
couldn't agree more
30 upvotes
Charlotte Brown
My experience has been mostly positive. I love the pace of life here. The only thing I'd watch out for is food scene. Other than that, Good luck with whatever you decide..
29 upvotes
Ezekiel Gutierrez
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem solid.
I've been here 5 years and it was the best decision I ever made. The thing nobody mentions is job market. It's stable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the job market is legit. And if you're into kayaking, this place is surprisingly good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Lakewood side vs the Pine Hills side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Definitely worth checking out..
25 upvotes
Peyton H.
Bought a house here in 2019 and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Property values have gone about the same since then.
20 upvotes
Easton Bennett
hmm interesting perspective
14 upvotes
Benjamin S.
Bought a house here in 2020 and it exceeded my expectations. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
14 upvotes
Brooklyn Nguyen
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem tough.
I've been here 11 years and I genuinely enjoy living here. The thing nobody mentions is food scene. It's pricey and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the food scene is legit. And if you're into kayaking, this place is surprisingly good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Uptown side vs the Lakewood side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
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