Hey folks, Homes are going for about $442,100 on average. You can expect to pay around $1,350 for rent here. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The weather takes some getting used to. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Any advice would be great. Any help is appreciated. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Property taxes are high but you get good services. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus.
0 upvotes
8 Replies
Bennett Turner
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a real estate agent, 49, moved here 4 years ago from Atlanta. I've lived in Oak Park and Maple Ridge, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Great outdoor activities nearby
3. Friendly community, easy to meet people
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Property taxes are high
2. Can feel isolated
3. The safety situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Oak Park: Great for remote workers. surprisingly good 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 Atlanta, everything felt underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $70K-$100K here.
**Final verdict:**
No regrets on my end.. 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.
36 upvotes
Eli Rogers
seconding this
33 upvotes
Julie K.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a HR manager, 34, moved here 7 years ago from Phoenix. I've lived in West and East, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Road conditions need improvement
2. Can feel isolated
3. The healthcare situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- West: Great for young professionals. tough vibes, walkable.
- East: 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 hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $100K-$120K here.
**Final verdict:**
It's not for everyone but it works for us.. 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.
28 upvotes
Oliver Martin
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 8 years ago from Boston and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Midtown. It's excellent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in legal. If you're in legal you might struggle.
People: Generally pretty good. It took about 13 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: tough. Tons of options if you like Thai.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
26 upvotes
Henry J.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a real estate agent who relocated here from Atlanta about 8 years ago. The main reasons were a job opportunity and weather.
Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Strong sense of community
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Nightlife is limited
- Not very walkable outside downtown
Financially, we've found it improving compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are growing, gas is average.
Socially, I love the pace of life here. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
21 upvotes
Paisley Anderson
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a pharmacist who relocated here from New York about 1 years ago. The main reasons were work and school.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Decent public transit for the size
- Four distinct seasons
Cons that are real:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Chain restaurants dominate
Financially, we've found it pretty good compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are stable, gas is decent.
Socially, I'm still on the fence after all this time. No regrets on my end..
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