Hello, Rent is about $1,560/month for a decent place. The unemployment rate is 2.1%, which is pretty low. Median household income is $80,473, which feels pretty solid for the area. The median home value here is around $409,200, which is pretty steep. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The food scene here is surprisingly good. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The weather takes some getting used to. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Property taxes are high but you get good services. I'd say it's better for families than young singles.
12 upvotes
10 Replies
Anna Walker
nah I disagree
38 upvotes
Mason J.
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is food scene. I have mixed feelings honestly. Worth doing your research before committing.
37 upvotes
Eliana
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 15 years ago from Nashville and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Oak Park. It's decent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is manageable right now, especially in healthcare. If you're in tech you might struggle.
People: Generally decent. It took about 11 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: challenging. Tons of options if you like Italian.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
32 upvotes
Rylee Roberts
Hot take but I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. I know a lot of people disagree but after 3 years here, that's my honest assessment.
28 upvotes
sd_hailey
My experience has been mostly positive. it exceeded my expectations. The only thing I'd watch out for is housing market. Other than that, No regrets on my end..
18 upvotes
savannah_mind
accurate
16 upvotes
Eli D.
This.
14 upvotes
Natalie Moore
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 10 years ago from Boston and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Eastside. It's hit or miss for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in retail. If you're in construction you might struggle.
People: Generally better than expected. It took about 8 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: surprisingly good. Tons of options if you like Asian.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
8 upvotes
Daniel Murphy
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Midtown for 15 years. Moved from Portland for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is excellent. We bought in 2021 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
marketing is strong here. marketing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are affordable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's exactly what I was looking for. The outdoor scene is surprisingly good - we have hiking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Midtown schools are pretty good. 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. Traffic during rush hour is rough. Limited shopping options. And weather can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 7/10. It's not for everyone but it works for us.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
3 upvotes
David Nguyen
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 5 years ago from Chicago and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Riverside. It's better than expected for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in tech. If you're in government you might struggle.
People: Generally underrated. It took about 7 months to build a solid friend group.
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