Longtime lurker here, I'm retired and Average temperature is around 62--F, so the weather is moderate. Poverty rate is 10.3%, which is around average. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Any advice would be great. Looking forward to hearing from you all. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The food scene here is surprisingly good. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse.
27 upvotes
8 Replies
Kinsley Long
Hot take but I have mixed feelings honestly. I know a lot of people disagree but after 5 years here, that's my honest assessment.
39 upvotes
Gabriella Taylor
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a software engineer, 58, moved here 5 years ago from San Francisco. I've lived in Midtown and Oak Park, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Good healthcare facilities
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Limited high-paying job options
3. The walkability situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Midtown: Great for retirees. hit or miss vibes, walkable.
- Oak Park: 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 San Francisco, everything felt better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $60K-$70K 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.
33 upvotes
Miles B.
I've lived in East for about 5 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. When I first moved here from Charlotte, I was surprised by walkability. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Strong job market in several industries
- The job market scene is better than expected
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for young professionals. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
32 upvotes
Thomas Ross
100%
23 upvotes
Easton Gonzalez
Public transit is better than expected here. You'll probably need a car for most things. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
22 upvotes
Serenity James
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's exactly what I was looking for. Internet is excellent in most areas.
21 upvotes
Alexis D.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a chef, 47, moved here 12 years ago from Dallas. I've lived in Oak Park and Lakewood, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Friendly community, easy to meet people
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Nightlife is limited
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The pet-friendliness situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Oak Park: Great for singles. surprisingly good vibes, walkable.
- Lakewood: 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 Dallas, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $50K-$140K here.
**Final verdict:**
Happy to answer more specific questions.. 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.
11 upvotes
Charles J.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a social worker who relocated here from Boston about 9 years ago. The main reasons were cost of living and a fresh start.
Pros I've experienced:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Lots of new development happening
Cons that are real:
- Limited public transit options
- Dating scene is rough
Financially, we've found it average compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are developing, gas is solid.
Socially, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. No regrets on my end..
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