Hi all, We have two kids and Poverty rate is 6.5%, which is pretty low. Average temperature is around 54--F, so expect cold winters. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. I'd say it's better for families than young singles.
15 upvotes
25 Replies
nyc_thomas
I work in hospitality here and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The job market for my field is solid. No regrets on my end..
33 upvotes
Cora
Saving this thread
32 upvotes
Ella G.
I've lived in Uptown for about 13 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's been a really good experience overall. When I first moved here from Miami, I was surprised by walkability. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Good healthcare facilities
- The traffic scene is better than expected
The downsides:
- Limited public transit options
- Chain restaurants dominate
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for singles. Hope this helps!.
30 upvotes
Katherine P.
same here
30 upvotes
Eleanor
spot on
24 upvotes
Nora Nelson
yeah no that's not right
22 upvotes
Henry Phillips
yeah no that's not right
22 upvotes
Quinn Brown
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value traffic, you'll love it. The cost of living is genuinely hit or miss and I've found the quality of life is solid. My neighborhood (Meadowbrook) is growing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from LA, be prepared for the culture shock. housing market is completely different here. And Traffic during rush hour is rough.
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.
21 upvotes
Sofia M.
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. school system used to be much established but now it's average.
20 upvotes
Alan C.
haha yep pretty much
18 upvotes
Hannah Phillips
same here
18 upvotes
detroitsoul2024
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a marketing manager who relocated here from LA about 6 years ago. The main reasons were school and retirement.
Pros I've experienced:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Decent public transit for the size
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
Financially, we've found it average compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are stable, gas is excellent.
Socially, it's not perfect but it works for me. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
17 upvotes
Cooper M.
My experience has been mostly positive. it's exactly what I was looking for. The only thing I'd watch out for is food scene. Other than that, Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
17 upvotes
Noah T.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem average.
I've been here 10 years and it's not perfect but it works for me. The thing nobody mentions is safety. It's reasonable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the pet-friendliness is legit. And if you're into running, this place is decent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Oak Park side vs the Lakewood side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
16 upvotes
Ezekiel Miller
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's not perfect but it works for me. Internet is solid in most areas.
16 upvotes
Victoria Wood
Came here for a job opportunity and stayed because it's been a really good experience overall. The pet-friendliness is honestly pretty good and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
12 upvotes
Noah Richardson
it depends on the neighborhood
11 upvotes
Christian R.
Hot take but it's not perfect but it works for me. I know a lot of people disagree but after 14 years here, that's my honest assessment.
10 upvotes
philly_alexander
Public transit is challenging here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's improved dramatically in recent years.
9 upvotes
Axel K.
Used to live on the Pine Hills side, now on the North side. Completely different vibe. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now.
8 upvotes
Bennett Phillips
accurate
6 upvotes
Katherine H.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value food scene, you'll love it. The housing market is genuinely improving and I've found I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. My neighborhood (Midtown) is established and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from LA, be prepared for the culture shock. traffic is completely different here. And Dating scene is rough.
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.
3 upvotes
Christopher W.
I've lived in Sunset for about 14 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I have mixed feelings honestly. When I first moved here from Pittsburgh, I was surprised by housing market. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Decent public transit for the size
- Active local events and festivals
- The safety scene is excellent
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