Been meaning to ask this. We're a young couple and The median home value here is around $131,200, which is actually reasonable. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The weather takes some getting used to.
27 upvotes
10 Replies
sd_audrey
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 4 years ago from Miami and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Cedar Grove. It's pretty good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is reasonable right now, especially in tech. If you're in retail you might struggle.
People: Generally challenging. It took about 7 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: solid. Tons of options if you like Thai.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
39 upvotes
Savannah Peterson
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Eastside for 7 years. Moved from Chicago for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is hit or miss. We bought in 2022 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
legal is strong here. consulting is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are pricey for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I'm still on the fence after all this time. The outdoor scene is surprisingly good - we have biking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Eastside schools are improving. 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. Limited high-paying job options. Property taxes are high. And safety can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 9/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
36 upvotes
cool_lucy29
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a pharmacist, 54, moved here 1 years ago from Minneapolis. I've lived in Westside and Fairview, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Growing food and restaurant scene
3. Good healthcare facilities
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Dating scene is rough
3. The community vibe situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Westside: Great for families. challenging vibes, walkable.
- Fairview: 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 Minneapolis, everything felt decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $80K-$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.
34 upvotes
Mateo C.
Public transit is tough here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it exceeded my expectations.
31 upvotes
Daniel Watson
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 14 years ago from Minneapolis and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Eastside. It's decent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in finance. If you're in retail you might struggle.
People: Generally solid. It took about 5 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: average. Tons of options if you like Mediterranean.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
29 upvotes
Gabriel Walker
underrated comment
16 upvotes
Aurora Morales
interesting, hadn't considered that
11 upvotes
Ezekiel Adams
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem hit or miss.
I've been here 12 years and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The thing nobody mentions is food scene. It's wild and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cultural scene is legit. And if you're into skiing, this place is better than expected.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Riverside side vs the Oak Park side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
10 upvotes
Nathan Scott
As someone who grew up here, I'm still on the fence after all this time. A lot has changed in the past few years though. cultural scene used to be much stable but now it's tough.
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