OK so My family moved here when I was a kid. Rent is about $1,892/month for a decent place. Average temperature is around 51--F, so expect cold winters. Poverty rate is 3.9%, which is pretty low. Household incomes average around $100,022 in Romeoville. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood.
Pros:
- Friendly people
- Growing food scene
- Low crime in most areas
- Low taxes
- Good airport connections
Cons:
- Traffic can be terrible
- Limited public transit
- Cold winters
- High property taxes
- Poor road conditions
Cheers. The food scene here is surprisingly good. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. The city has invested a lot in new development. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years.
6 upvotes
29 Replies
Ruby C.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value community vibe, you'll love it. The housing market is genuinely hit or miss and I've found it exceeded my expectations. My neighborhood (Lakewood) is growing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Minneapolis, be prepared for the culture shock. outdoor recreation is completely different here. And Limited shopping options.
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.
40 upvotes
Adeline
I've been living here for 5 years and I'd say I love the pace of life here. The dating scene is tough compared to other places I've lived. Overall No regrets on my end..
39 upvotes
William
not my experience at all
38 upvotes
Kayden M.
nah I disagree
37 upvotes
sunny_aurora19
same here
34 upvotes
Hunter Hughes
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 3-bedroom. I genuinely enjoy living here. Compared to Tampa it's hit or miss.
32 upvotes
Caleb Brooks
Moved here last year, no regrets.
32 upvotes
Kinsley Davis
yep
32 upvotes
Linda D.
Bought a house here in 2023 and it's improved dramatically in recent years. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
30 upvotes
Ellie Reed
Came here for a job opportunity and stayed because it was the best decision I ever made. The pet-friendliness is honestly challenging and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
27 upvotes
Isabella Robinson
We moved here with our family and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Schools in Maple Ridge area are improving. Kids love it here.
27 upvotes
Jacob C.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Midtown for 4 years. Moved from Tampa for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is solid. We bought in 2021 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
finance is strong here. hospitality is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are wild for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I have mixed feelings honestly. The outdoor scene is tough - we have beaches within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Midtown schools are underrated. 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. Chain restaurants dominate. Bugs and humidity in summer. And weather can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 7/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
25 upvotes
Addison Cooper
Bought a house here in 2021 and it exceeded my expectations. Property values have gone up significantly since then.
23 upvotes
Grace Nelson
This.
23 upvotes
raleighmama2021
I've lived in Oak Park for about 2 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's been a really good experience overall. When I first moved here from Miami, I was surprised by community vibe. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Good schools in most areas
- The nightlife scene is underrated
The downsides:
- Limited public transit options
- Can feel isolated
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for young professionals. Hope this helps!.
19 upvotes
Aubrey P.
The food scene here is underrated. Tons of great Indian places. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now.
18 upvotes
Owen Miller
hmm interesting perspective
16 upvotes
Wesley Morris
My experience has been mostly positive. I genuinely enjoy living here. The only thing I'd watch out for is community vibe. Other than that, Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
15 upvotes
Gabriel B.
My experience has been mostly positive. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The only thing I'd watch out for is traffic. Other than that, Good luck with whatever you decide..
14 upvotes
Jeremiah Williams
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Downtown for 3 years. Moved from Dallas for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is better than expected. We bought in 2015 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. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
education is strong here. retail is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are developing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The outdoor scene is better than expected - we have beaches within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Downtown schools are underrated. 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. Urban sprawl is real. Limited entertainment options. And housing market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 8/10. Hope this helps!. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
14 upvotes
David Green
I work in manufacturing here and it's been a really good experience overall. The job market for my field is hit or miss. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
12 upvotes
scarlett_rider
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a HR manager, 38, moved here 6 years ago from Portland. I've lived in Riverside and Highland, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Nice parks and green spaces
3. Good internet infrastructure
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited shopping options
2. Dating scene is rough
3. The food scene situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Riverside: Great for families. pretty good vibes, walkable.
- Highland: 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 Portland, everything felt hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $40K-$100K 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.
12 upvotes
Donald C.
been saying this for years
10 upvotes
Emilia Bennett
Public transit is better than expected here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I love the pace of life here.
9 upvotes
Ryan Thomas
I'm a teacher and I've found I have mixed feelings honestly. The community is better than expected and there's always something going on.
8 upvotes
mountain_jonathan17
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 4 years ago from Houston and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Lakewood. It's improving for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in government. If you're in engineering you might struggle.
People: Generally solid. It took about 3 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: surprisingly good. Tons of options if you like Mediterranean.
No regrets on my end..
6 upvotes
Caroline Gonzalez
I've been living here for 11 years and I'd say it's not perfect but it works for me. The cost of living is challenging compared to other places I've lived. Overall Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
5 upvotes
Levi
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem improving.
I've been here 14 years and it's improved dramatically in recent years. The thing nobody mentions is traffic. 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 running, this place is better than expected.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Downtown side vs the Eastside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Definitely worth checking out..
4 upvotes
Gabriella Ramos
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 2-bedroom. I genuinely enjoy living here. Compared to Baltimore it's challenging.
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