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Leah Edwards
living
South Chicago Heights is underrated, change my mind
Alright, I'm a teacher here and The parks and outdoor areas are a huge p
14 upvotes
7 Replies
Kaylee
bump
33 upvotes
Mia Taylor
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it exceeded my expectations. Hope this helps!.
28 upvotes
Sophia
My experience has been mostly positive. it was the best decision I ever made. The only thing I'd watch out for is cultural scene. Other than that, Hope this helps!.
22 upvotes
Dylan Anderson
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a contractor, 56, moved here 9 years ago from Portland. I've lived in Old Town and North, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Good healthcare facilities
3. Four distinct seasons
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Chain restaurants dominate
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The cost of living situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Old Town: Great for remote workers. surprisingly good vibes, walkable.
- North: 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 Portland, everything felt hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $40K-$70K 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.
Background: I'm a contractor, 56, moved here 9 years ago from Portland. I've lived in Old Town and North, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Good healthcare facilities
3. Four distinct seasons
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Chain restaurants dominate
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The cost of living situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Old Town: Great for remote workers. surprisingly good vibes, walkable.
- North: 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 Portland, everything felt hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $40K-$70K 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.
21 upvotes
Samuel Foster
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a lawyer who relocated here from Tampa about 9 years ago. The main reasons were weather and cost of living.
Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Lots of new development happening
Cons that are real:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Property taxes are high
Financially, we've found it pretty good compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are manageable, gas is hit or miss.
Socially, I love the pace of life here. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
I'm a lawyer who relocated here from Tampa about 9 years ago. The main reasons were weather and cost of living.
Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Lots of new development happening
Cons that are real:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Property taxes are high
Financially, we've found it pretty good compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are manageable, gas is hit or miss.
Socially, I love the pace of life here. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
19 upvotes
Kayden James
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Old Town for 7 years. Moved from Pittsburgh for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is solid. We bought in 2015 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
retail is strong here. consulting is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are stable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it exceeded my expectations. The outdoor scene is improving - we have national forests within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Old Town schools are underrated. 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. Urban sprawl is real. Can feel isolated. And traffic can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 9/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
I've been in Old Town for 7 years. Moved from Pittsburgh for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is solid. We bought in 2015 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
retail is strong here. consulting is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are stable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it exceeded my expectations. The outdoor scene is improving - we have national forests within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Old Town schools are underrated. 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. Urban sprawl is real. Can feel isolated. And traffic can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 9/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
13 upvotes
Alexander
couldn't agree more
9 upvotes