Anyone else feel this way? I'm single, late 30s, and Average temperature is around 48--F, so expect cold winters. Household incomes average around $108,965 in Round Lake. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Worth the trade-offs? Thanks! Property taxes are high but you get good services. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The suburbs are where most families end up. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level.
6 upvotes
11 Replies
Aiden Cox
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I'm still on the fence after all this time. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
40 upvotes
Ian Williams
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a pharmacist who relocated here from Dallas about 8 years ago. The main reasons were weather and quality of life.
Pros I've experienced:
- Decent public transit for the size
- Lots of new development happening
- Diverse dining options
Cons that are real:
- Chain restaurants dominate
- Limited entertainment options
Financially, we've found it decent compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are manageable, gas is improving.
Socially, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Hope this helps!.
37 upvotes
Bella W.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem excellent.
I've been here 9 years and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The thing nobody mentions is community vibe. It's wild and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the housing market is legit. And if you're into biking, this place is pretty good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Highland side vs the Downtown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Definitely worth checking out..
34 upvotes
Emilia Scott
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want cultural scene, then yeah this place is great. But if safety matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
32 upvotes
Jayden Martin
Saving this thread
19 upvotes
Adeline Ramirez
Bought a house here in 2016 and the quality of life is solid. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
8 upvotes
Mia
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a marketing manager, 53, moved here 5 years ago from Baltimore. I've lived in The Heights and Cedar Grove, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Close to major attractions
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally average - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Urban sprawl is real
2. Not very walkable outside downtown
3. The cost of living situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- The Heights: Great for young professionals. average vibes, walkable.
- Cedar Grove: 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 Baltimore, everything felt decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $60K-$120K here.
**Final verdict:**
It's not for everyone but it works for us.. 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.
8 upvotes
Kennedy Ward
underrated comment
7 upvotes
Ariana
not my experience at all
6 upvotes
Levi
Weather-wise, the summers are average and winters are wild. You get used to it after the first year.
5 upvotes
Katherine
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 11 years ago from Raleigh and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Greenfield. It's pretty good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in education. If you're in healthcare you might struggle.
People: Generally improving. It took about 5 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like farm-to-table.
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