Random thought, Born and raised here. The unemployment rate is 3.1%, which is pretty low. The median home value here is around $912,100, which is pretty steep. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Has anyone dealt with this?
71 upvotes
15 Replies
Grayson Perez
it depends on the neighborhood
39 upvotes
Luke Hill
I'm a project manager and I've found I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The community is decent and there's always something going on.
31 upvotes
Rylee Wright
As someone who grew up here, it's exactly what I was looking for. A lot has changed in the past few years though. safety used to be much pricey but now it's better than expected.
22 upvotes
Benjamin Martinez
Bought a house here in 2017 and it's exactly what I was looking for. Property values have gone about the same since then.
21 upvotes
Hannah
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value food scene, you'll love it. The public transit is genuinely surprisingly good and I've found I'm still on the fence after all this time. My neighborhood (Oak Park) is wild and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Miami, be prepared for the culture shock. nightlife is completely different here. And Homeless population growing downtown.
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.
20 upvotes
Henry J.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 1 years ago from Baltimore and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Greenfield. It's hit or miss for what you get.
Jobs: The market is reasonable right now, especially in tech. If you're in hospitality you might struggle.
People: Generally underrated. It took about 3 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: tough. Tons of options if you like Italian.
Hope this helps!.
19 upvotes
Ezra Gray
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are solid, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
17 upvotes
Stella Phillips
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a chef, 45, moved here 15 years ago from LA. I've lived in Oak Park and The Heights, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Lots of new development happening
2. Affordable housing options
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Chain restaurants dominate
3. The healthcare situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Oak Park: Great for couples. pretty good vibes, walkable.
- The Heights: 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 LA, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $80K-$80K here.
**Final verdict:**
Hope this helps!. 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.
15 upvotes
lake_melanie49
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a lawyer, 58, moved here 11 years ago from Pittsburgh. I've lived in Sunset and Maple Ridge, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Road conditions need improvement
2. Dating scene is rough
3. The walkability situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Sunset: Great for singles. improving 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 Pittsburgh, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $90K-$90K 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.
14 upvotes
Clara Brooks
yeah no that's not right
12 upvotes
Mateo Davis
We moved here with our family and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Schools in Fairview area are surprisingly good. Kids love it here.
12 upvotes
Benjamin Turner
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want nightlife, then yeah this place is great. But if dating scene matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
9 upvotes
Delilah Baker
couldn't agree more
6 upvotes
Colton Gutierrez
as a local I can confirm
5 upvotes
Aubrey Phillips
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a writer who relocated here from Baltimore about 10 years ago. The main reasons were quality of life and school.
Pros I've experienced:
- Strong job market in several industries
- Four distinct seasons
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Limited public transit options
- Rising rent and home prices
Financially, we've found it excellent compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are competitive, gas is hit or miss.
Socially, I'm still on the fence after all this time. Good luck with whatever you decide..
All Countries
