I'm a nurse at the local hospital and Average temperature is around 53--F, so expect cold winters. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Thanks in advance! Night life is decent if you know the right spots.
4 upvotes
13 Replies
Theodore Castillo
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a social worker, 57, moved here 7 years ago from Raleigh. I've lived in Pine Hills and South, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Friendly community, easy to meet people
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The safety situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Pine Hills: Great for couples. pretty good vibes, walkable.
- South: 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 Raleigh, everything felt decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $70K-$110K here.
**Final verdict:**
Good luck with whatever you decide.. 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.
38 upvotes
Dominic Clark
I've lived in Lakewood for about 2 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it was the best decision I ever made. When I first moved here from Miami, I was surprised by job market. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Diverse dining options
- The housing market scene is tough
The downsides:
- Limited public transit options
- Rising rent and home prices
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for families. No regrets on my end..
35 upvotes
Mark S.
I've lived in Oak Park for about 13 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it exceeded my expectations. When I first moved here from Seattle, I was surprised by walkability. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Good schools in most areas
- The cost of living scene is improving
The downsides:
- Dating scene is rough
- Homeless population growing downtown
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for singles. Definitely worth checking out..
27 upvotes
Delilah B.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Downtown for 5 years. Moved from Charlotte for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is improving. We bought in 2018 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
engineering is strong here. hospitality is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are established for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I'm still on the fence after all this time. The outdoor scene is solid - we have rivers within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Downtown schools are solid. 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. Can feel isolated. Bugs and humidity in summer. And community vibe can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 8/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
25 upvotes
Silas Edwards
As someone who grew up here, it's not perfect but it works for me. A lot has changed in the past few years though. cost of living used to be much growing but now it's improving.
24 upvotes
Cora S.
nah I disagree
21 upvotes
philly_arianna
I've lived in West for about 3 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's exactly what I was looking for. When I first moved here from Dallas, I was surprised by job market. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Decent public transit for the size
- The food scene scene is improving
The downsides:
- Limited high-paying job options
- Dating scene is rough
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for families. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
20 upvotes
Xavier Roberts
The food scene here is surprisingly good. Tons of great Mediterranean places. the quality of life is solid.
17 upvotes
Emilia King
hmm interesting perspective
12 upvotes
Amelia Wilson
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a contractor, 52, moved here 6 years ago from Phoenix. I've lived in Meadowbrook and Maple Ridge, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Diverse dining options
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Rising rent and home prices
3. The community vibe situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Meadowbrook: Great for remote workers. tough vibes, walkable.
- Maple Ridge: 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 Phoenix, everything felt better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $40K-$70K here.
**Final verdict:**
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. 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.
9 upvotes
Ruby Kelly
Moved here from Miami about 11 years ago. it's not perfect but it works for me. Still getting used to pet-friendliness but Feel free to reach out with questions..
9 upvotes
Alice O.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 9 years ago from Pittsburgh and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Westside. It's surprisingly good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in construction. If you're in hospitality you might struggle.
People: Generally excellent. It took about 7 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: better than expected. Tons of options if you like Mediterranean.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
8 upvotes
Hannah Davis
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's not perfect but it works for me. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
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