Random thought, Born and raised here. Median household income is $124,422, which feels pretty solid for the area. You can expect to pay around $1,707 for rent here. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Thanks for reading. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Property taxes are high but you get good services.
19 upvotes
7 Replies
Ryan W.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a lawyer who relocated here from Houston about 1 years ago. The main reasons were weather and family.
Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Good schools in most areas
- Decent public transit for the size
Cons that are real:
- Limited entertainment options
- Far from beaches/mountains
Financially, we've found it hit or miss compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are wild, gas is solid.
Socially, I genuinely enjoy living here. No regrets on my end..
35 upvotes
Julian
this is the way
32 upvotes
Peyton Cook
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 8 years ago from Phoenix and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in West. It's excellent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is reasonable right now, especially in education. If you're in healthcare you might struggle.
People: Generally better than expected. It took about 13 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like Korean.
Definitely worth checking out..
30 upvotes
jaxon_heart
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value community vibe, you'll love it. The safety is genuinely hit or miss and I've found it's not perfect but it works for me. My neighborhood (Cedar Grove) is reasonable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Chicago, be prepared for the culture shock. community vibe is completely different here. And Urban sprawl is real.
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.
28 upvotes
Axel White
I'm a chef and I've found it's exactly what I was looking for. The community is challenging and there's always something going on.
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