Not sure if this has been asked before, but My family moved here when I was a kid. Rent is about $885/month for a decent place. The unemployment rate is 3.5%, which is pretty low. Poverty rate is 6.8%, which is pretty low. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Does this match your experience? Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level.
1 upvotes
5 Replies
Elizabeth Foster
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want job market, then yeah this place is great. But if food scene matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
37 upvotes
Aubrey
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a pharmacist, 55, moved here 4 years ago from Atlanta. I've lived in Oak Park and Meadowbrook, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Lots of new development happening
2. Active local events and festivals
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
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. Limited shopping options
3. The housing market situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Oak Park: Great for remote workers. average vibes, walkable.
- Meadowbrook: 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 Atlanta, everything felt solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $80K-$110K 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.
31 upvotes
bostonlocal2024
honestly same experience here
20 upvotes
Genesis E.
Can confirm, been here 15 years.
16 upvotes
Lily Richardson
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a nurse who relocated here from Miami about 5 years ago. The main reasons were retirement and a job opportunity.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Four distinct seasons
- Good airport with direct flights
Cons that are real:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Homeless population growing downtown
Financially, we've found it tough compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are reasonable, gas is pretty good.
Socially, it's improved dramatically in recent years. Feel free to reach out with questions..
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