Hey everyone, I've been here for 10 years and Poverty rate is 7.4%, which is pretty low. Rent is about $2,191/month for a decent place. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The food scene here is surprisingly good. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The suburbs are where most families end up. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The weather takes some getting used to. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The city has invested a lot in new development. The suburbs are where most families end up.
12 upvotes
11 Replies
Madeline Lewis
wish I knew this sooner
31 upvotes
Eliana R.
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 1-bedroom. the quality of life is solid. Compared to Raleigh it's solid.
25 upvotes
Andrew Rodriguez
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is walkability. it was the best decision I ever made. Worth doing your research before committing.
22 upvotes
Liam Gutierrez
I work in finance here and I genuinely enjoy living here. The job market for my field is pretty good. Happy to answer more specific questions..
20 upvotes
Maverick Watson
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value pet-friendliness, you'll love it. The safety is genuinely solid and I've found it's exactly what I was looking for. My neighborhood (Sunset) is wild and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Minneapolis, be prepared for the culture shock. public transit 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.
19 upvotes
Mia Lewis
underrated comment
18 upvotes
Benjamin P.
As someone who grew up here, it was the best decision I ever made. A lot has changed in the past few years though. outdoor recreation used to be much wild but now it's average.
15 upvotes
Stephen T.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want community vibe, then yeah this place is great. But if outdoor recreation matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
15 upvotes
Alexa Bailey
Used to live on the Fairview side, now on the Oak Park side. Completely different vibe. it was the best decision I ever made.
9 upvotes
Evan Edwards
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value weather, you'll love it. The dating scene is genuinely improving and I've found it's not perfect but it works for me. My neighborhood (Downtown) is stable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from LA, be prepared for the culture shock. public transit is completely different here. And Rising rent and home prices.
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.
9 upvotes
Anna Bailey
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want nightlife, then yeah this place is great. But if safety matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
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