Longtime lurker here, Rent is about $1,656/month for a decent place. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Would love some local perspective. Cheers.
11 upvotes
14 Replies
Gianna Martin
Moved here from Miami about 13 years ago. I genuinely enjoy living here. Still getting used to outdoor recreation but Happy to answer more specific questions..
39 upvotes
Joshua Morgan
hmm interesting perspective
36 upvotes
Xavier Wood
The food scene here is surprisingly good. Tons of great Mexican places. I'm still on the fence after all this time.
34 upvotes
Jonathan Murphy
Used to live on the Riverside side, now on the Highland side. Completely different vibe. it was the best decision I ever made.
32 upvotes
kcsoul2023
The food scene here is better than expected. Tons of great farm-to-table places. I genuinely enjoy living here.
29 upvotes
Hannah P.
bump
27 upvotes
Arianna L.
I've lived in West 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 Phoenix, I was surprised by cost of living. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Lots of new development happening
- Good internet infrastructure
- The food scene scene is challenging
The downsides:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for families. Definitely worth checking out..
25 upvotes
Xavier Jackson
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 7 years ago from Seattle and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Cedar Grove. It's surprisingly good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in legal. If you're in finance you might struggle.
People: Generally tough. It took about 17 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: tough. Tons of options if you like Southern.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
24 upvotes
Brooks Bennett
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in West for 7 years. Moved from Charlotte for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is underrated. We bought in 2022 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
legal is strong here. education 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:**
I love the pace of life here. The outdoor scene is solid - we have ski resorts within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. West schools are decent. 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. Chain restaurants dominate. Limited shopping options. And healthcare can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 8/10. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
22 upvotes
Axel Mendoza
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem solid.
I've been here 2 years and it's not perfect but it works for me. The thing nobody mentions is dating scene. It's pricey and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the weather is legit. And if you're into fishing, this place is better than expected.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Highland side vs the Oak Park side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Definitely worth checking out..
20 upvotes
Elizabeth
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's exactly what I was looking for. Internet is pretty good in most areas.
20 upvotes
Jace Martin
yeah no that's not right
18 upvotes
oakland_nolan
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a teacher, 46, moved here 3 years ago from Tampa. I've lived in South and Springfield, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Great outdoor activities nearby
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally solid - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Can feel isolated
2. Dating scene is rough
3. The walkability situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- South: Great for singles. excellent vibes, walkable.
- Springfield: 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 Tampa, everything felt excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $100K-$90K here.
**Final verdict:**
Definitely worth checking out.. 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.
14 upvotes
carson_chef
I've lived in Greenfield for about 14 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I love the pace of life here. When I first moved here from Miami, I was surprised by community vibe. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Decent public transit for the size
- The traffic scene is hit or miss
The downsides:
- Limited entertainment options
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for remote workers. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
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