Homes are going for about $1,359,100 on average. The median home value here is around $1,359,100, which is pretty steep. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. What would you do? People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. The weather takes some getting used to. The suburbs are where most families end up. The suburbs are where most families end up. The weather takes some getting used to. The food scene here is surprisingly good. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that.
0 upvotes
6 Replies
Jayden Roberts
couldn't agree more
39 upvotes
Madelyn Green
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem solid.
I've been here 7 years and it exceeded my expectations. The thing nobody mentions is school system. It's competitive and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the pet-friendliness is legit. And if you're into kayaking, this place is average.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Downtown side vs the Oak Park side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
27 upvotes
Addison
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's improved dramatically in recent years. Good luck with whatever you decide..
24 upvotes
Denise J.
noted, appreciate it
17 upvotes
Madeline Cox
The food scene here is better than expected. Tons of great Thai places. I genuinely enjoy living here.
10 upvotes
Parker Collins
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 5 years ago from San Francisco and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Springfield. It's hit or miss for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in government. If you're in education you might struggle.
People: Generally pretty good. It took about 4 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: surprisingly good. Tons of options if you like craft beer.
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