Hey folks, I'm a 23-year-old data analyst and The unemployment rate is 2.5%, which is pretty low. Crime rate is something to consider -Roessleville sits at 813.4 per 100K. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Thoughts? People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Property taxes are high but you get good services. It's not perfect, but the community is solid.
15 upvotes
12 Replies
Weston Castillo
noted, appreciate it
38 upvotes
gabriella_native
Used to live on the Meadowbrook side, now on the Oak Park side. Completely different vibe. I'm still on the fence after all this time.
32 upvotes
Cooper Myers
nah I disagree
25 upvotes
Nicholas Green
preach
23 upvotes
Colton Gonzalez
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem excellent.
I've been here 10 years and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The thing nobody mentions is outdoor recreation. It's wild and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the community vibe is legit. And if you're into surfing, this place is excellent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The The Heights side vs the Westside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
22 upvotes
Maverick Bennett
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Internet is hit or miss in most areas.
19 upvotes
Aiden Diaz
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in West for 6 years. Moved from Boston for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is excellent. We bought in 2023 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
hospitality is strong here. tech 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 decent - we have rivers within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. West schools are surprisingly good. 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. Nightlife is limited. Limited shopping options. And outdoor recreation can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 6/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
18 upvotes
Joshua Ward
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want safety, then yeah this place is great. But if walkability matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
16 upvotes
Alice H.
lol so true
12 upvotes
Everly
it depends on the neighborhood
5 upvotes
Isabelle
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are better than expected, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
4 upvotes
Oliver
Came here for family and stayed because I genuinely enjoy living here. The public transit is honestly improving and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
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