So, Been living here since 2009. The median home value here is around $173,600, which is actually reasonable. Crime rate is something to consider -Sheldon sits at 276.2 per 100K. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The suburbs are where most families end up. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. It's not perfect, but the community is solid.
8 upvotes
3 Replies
Aubrey M.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 13 years ago from San Diego and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Oak Park. It's better than expected for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in engineering. If you're in government you might struggle.
People: Generally excellent. It took about 4 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: challenging. Tons of options if you like BBQ.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
35 upvotes
Victoria R.
I've been living here for 13 years and I'd say I love the pace of life here. The walkability is underrated compared to other places I've lived. Overall Would recommend to anyone considering it..
20 upvotes
local_scarlett95
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value public transit, you'll love it. The job market is genuinely improving and I've found the quality of life is solid. My neighborhood (The Heights) is wild and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Houston, be prepared for the culture shock. safety is completely different here. And Chain restaurants dominate.
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.
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