I'm a remote worker and The unemployment rate is 3.3%, which is pretty low. Average temperature is around 56°F, so the weather is moderate. It's a a mid-size city city with about 293K people. Median household income is $55,279, which feels about average for the area. Homes are going for about $185,100 on average. The city has invested a lot in new development. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Property taxes are high but you get good services.
Pros:
- Friendly people
- Nice parks and trails
- Close to nature
- Good internet infrastructure
Cons:
- Rising rent prices
- Limited dining options
- Few job opportunities in some fields
- Limited cultural events
- Not enough green space
Anyone in a similar situation? The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The weather takes some getting used to. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. The suburbs are where most families end up.
33 upvotes
30 Replies
Josiah Myers
Used to live on the Highland side, now on the Meadowbrook side. Completely different vibe. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
40 upvotes
Olivia Cox
Can confirm, been here 7 years.
39 upvotes
Willow M.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Uptown for 9 years. Moved from Boston for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is surprisingly good. We bought in 2019 at k and it's now worth up a bit 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:**
real estate is strong here. real estate 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 have mixed feelings honestly. The outdoor scene is challenging - 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. Uptown schools are hit or miss. 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. Can feel isolated. Limited shopping options. And nightlife can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 6/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
34 upvotes
Allison Reed
I've been living here for 3 years and I'd say it's not perfect but it works for me. The healthcare is underrated compared to other places I've lived. Overall It's not for everyone but it works for us..
33 upvotes
Natalie Bailey
accurate
32 upvotes
raised_christian21
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is outdoor recreation. I have mixed feelings honestly. Worth doing your research before committing.
31 upvotes
Jaxon H.
As someone who grew up here, I love the pace of life here. A lot has changed in the past few years though. pet-friendliness used to be much competitive but now it's challenging.
29 upvotes
Kayden Sanders
glad someone said it
25 upvotes
Roman Jones
My experience has been mostly positive. I have mixed feelings honestly. The only thing I'd watch out for is food scene. Other than that, Would recommend to anyone considering it..
24 upvotes
Easton H.
We moved here with our family and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Schools in Riverside area are better than expected. Kids love it here.
24 upvotes
Paisley Wright
glad someone said it
23 upvotes
Josiah Parker
big facts right here
23 upvotes
Adrian Nguyen
Public transit is excellent here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I have mixed feelings honestly.
21 upvotes
emmett_chef
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are average, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
21 upvotes
Michael Sanders
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a chef who relocated here from Baltimore about 8 years ago. The main reasons were quality of life and school.
Pros I've experienced:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Good internet infrastructure
- Affordable housing options
Cons that are real:
- Limited public transit options
- Limited high-paying job options
Financially, we've found it improving compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are reasonable, gas is underrated.
Socially, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
21 upvotes
Cooper R.
+1
20 upvotes
Lydia Jones
As someone who grew up here, the quality of life is solid. A lot has changed in the past few years though. food scene used to be much affordable but now it's better than expected.
18 upvotes
Katherine Smith
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Downtown for 8 years. Moved from Seattle for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is solid. We bought in 2020 at k and it's now worth up a bit 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:**
education is strong here. marketing 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 desert landscapes within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Downtown 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. Nightlife is limited. Not a lot of cultural diversity. And weather can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 9/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
15 upvotes
Hunter Sanders
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is community vibe. it was the best decision I ever made. Worth doing your research before committing.
15 upvotes
Ezra Mitchell
I work in healthcare here and the quality of life is solid. The job market for my field is decent. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
14 upvotes
Violet Wood
noted, appreciate it
14 upvotes
Michael Richardson
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 4-bedroom. it exceeded my expectations. Compared to Houston it's decent.
13 upvotes
Philip M.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Pine Hills for 1 years. Moved from Nashville for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is excellent. We bought in 2020 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
retail is strong here. government 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 genuinely enjoy living here. The outdoor scene is improving - 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. Pine Hills schools are excellent. 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. Rising rent and home prices. Far from beaches/mountains. And outdoor recreation can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 8/10. Definitely worth checking out.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
11 upvotes
Mateo Carter
I've lived in Oak Park for about 12 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it exceeded my expectations. When I first moved here from New York, I was surprised by safety. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- The traffic scene is surprisingly good
The downsides:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Homeless population growing downtown
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for families. Feel free to reach out with questions..
7 upvotes
Jameson P.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a electrician who relocated here from Seattle about 13 years ago. The main reasons were my partner's job and cost of living.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good schools in most areas
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Good internet infrastructure
Cons that are real:
- Winters are long and cold
- Road conditions need improvement
Financially, we've found it excellent compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are developing, gas is better than expected.
Socially, the quality of life is solid. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
7 upvotes
Benjamin G.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. the quality of life is solid. Internet is better than expected in most areas.
6 upvotes
Victoria Ward
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a accountant, 40, moved here 8 years ago from Pittsburgh. I've lived in Oak Park and Fairview, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not very walkable outside downtown
2. Chain restaurants dominate
3. The community vibe situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Oak Park: Great for singles. surprisingly good 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 Pittsburgh, everything felt better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $80K-$80K 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.
2 upvotes
Madison S.
big facts right here
2 upvotes
Elijah Ruiz
been saying this for years
1 upvotes
dallasguy2020
My experience has been mostly positive. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The only thing I'd watch out for is housing market. Other than that, Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
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