Anyone else feel this way? We're a young couple and You can expect to pay around $747 for rent here. The median home value here is around $912,200, which is pretty steep. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. The weather takes some getting used to. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The weather takes some getting used to. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. 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.
10 upvotes
12 Replies
Kennedy Chavez
Used to live on the Midtown side, now on the Downtown side. Completely different vibe. I'm still on the fence after all this time.
40 upvotes
Adam Brown
it depends on the neighborhood
37 upvotes
William A.
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Happy to answer more specific questions..
37 upvotes
Aubrey Sanders
I've been living here for 13 years and I'd say I love the pace of life here. The pet-friendliness is excellent compared to other places I've lived. Overall Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
29 upvotes
Isabella
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem surprisingly good.
I've been here 5 years and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The thing nobody mentions is pet-friendliness. It's stable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the walkability is legit. And if you're into kayaking, this place is excellent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Oak Park side vs the Springfield side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Hope this helps!.
29 upvotes
Ryan Hughes
The food scene here is surprisingly good. Tons of great farm-to-table places. I'm still on the fence after all this time.
27 upvotes
Hazel P.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's improved dramatically in recent years. Internet is challenging in most areas.
24 upvotes
Dylan Ortiz
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 3-bedroom. I genuinely enjoy living here. Compared to Portland it's surprisingly good.
19 upvotes
Eli H.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Meadowbrook for 5 years. Moved from Dallas for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is improving. We bought in 2015 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
marketing is strong here. healthcare 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 have mixed feelings honestly. The outdoor scene is tough - we have national forests within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Meadowbrook schools are better than expected. 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. Not a lot of cultural diversity. Can feel isolated. And nightlife can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 9/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
18 upvotes
Connor Turner
Hot take but I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. I know a lot of people disagree but after 9 years here, that's my honest assessment.
17 upvotes
Aiden S.
I've lived in Fairview for about 12 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's improved dramatically in recent years. When I first moved here from Chicago, I was surprised by community vibe. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- The housing market scene is hit or miss
The downsides:
- Road conditions need improvement
- Homeless population growing downtown
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for retirees. No regrets on my end..
12 upvotes
Connor Williams
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want public transit, then yeah this place is great. But if safety matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
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