Hey folks, We have two kids and You can expect to pay around $1,832 for rent here. The food scene here is surprisingly good. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Thoughts? Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look.
18 upvotes
26 Replies
Leo Morris
Used to live on the East side, now on the Cedar Grove side. Completely different vibe. it's exactly what I was looking for.
37 upvotes
Claire Roberts
preach
33 upvotes
Serenity W.
yeah no that's not right
32 upvotes
Ryan Patel
My experience has been mostly positive. I genuinely enjoy living here. The only thing I'd watch out for is traffic. Other than that, Hope this helps!.
32 upvotes
Jack S.
this is the way
31 upvotes
Eli Mendoza
glad someone said it
31 upvotes
Roman Kelly
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a project manager who relocated here from Phoenix about 11 years ago. The main reasons were a fresh start and family.
Pros I've experienced:
- Strong job market in several industries
- Good internet infrastructure
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Dating scene is rough
Financially, we've found it underrated compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are reasonable, gas is improving.
Socially, it's not perfect but it works for me. Good luck with whatever you decide..
30 upvotes
Ezra Thompson
Weather-wise, the summers are better than expected and winters are established. You get used to it after the first year.
28 upvotes
Brenda K.
hmm interesting perspective
28 upvotes
Riley M.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Old Town for 7 years. Moved from Austin for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is underrated. We bought in 2023 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
retail is strong here. education is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are manageable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The outdoor scene is average - we have desert landscapes within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Old Town schools are improving. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.
**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Rising rent and home prices. Far from beaches/mountains. And pet-friendliness can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 8/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
26 upvotes
Nova Price
facts
23 upvotes
Leonardo Wilson
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it was the best decision I ever made. Internet is tough in most areas.
22 upvotes
Nicholas M.
Bought a house here in 2018 and it's not perfect but it works for me. Property values have gone about the same since then.
21 upvotes
Cooper Martin
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want walkability, then yeah this place is great. But if nightlife matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
20 upvotes
Kai Wilson
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem decent.
I've been here 13 years and I love the pace of life here. The thing nobody mentions is safety. It's pricey and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the safety is legit. And if you're into skiing, this place is decent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Meadowbrook side vs the Springfield side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
19 upvotes
Kennedy Robinson
My experience has been mostly positive. it's been a really good experience overall. The only thing I'd watch out for is pet-friendliness. Other than that, Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
15 upvotes
Aiden Cox
good to know, thanks
15 upvotes
Isaac Jimenez
spot on
15 upvotes
Mateo P.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem challenging.
I've been here 4 years and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The thing nobody mentions is outdoor recreation. It's reasonable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the nightlife is legit. And if you're into rock climbing, this place is improving.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Cedar Grove side vs the West side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
13 upvotes
Aiden P.
same here
13 upvotes
Sadie Castillo
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a chef who relocated here from Phoenix about 10 years ago. The main reasons were retirement and family.
Pros I've experienced:
- Strong job market in several industries
- Good airport with direct flights
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Can feel isolated
- Far from beaches/mountains
Financially, we've found it decent compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are developing, gas is hit or miss.
Socially, the quality of life is solid. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
13 upvotes
Serenity R.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 4 years ago from Chicago and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Oak Park. It's solid for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in finance. If you're in manufacturing you might struggle.
People: Generally challenging. It took about 14 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: solid. Tons of options if you like craft beer.
Hope this helps!.
11 upvotes
ethan_life
honestly same experience here
9 upvotes
Sophia W.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem tough.
I've been here 13 years and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The thing nobody mentions is safety. It's stable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the weather is legit. And if you're into running, this place is challenging.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Cedar Grove side vs the Sunset side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
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