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Kinsley Stewart
moving
Remote worker thinking about Streamwood
So, Rent is about $1,849/month for a decent place. What would you do? Property taxes are high but you get good services.
12 upvotes
18 Replies
Leonardo T.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 3 years ago from Portland and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Greenfield. It's decent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is manageable right now, especially in engineering. If you're in education you might struggle.
People: Generally improving. It took about 15 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like farm-to-table.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Greenfield. It's decent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is manageable right now, especially in engineering. If you're in education you might struggle.
People: Generally improving. It took about 15 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like farm-to-table.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
38 upvotes
Vivian W.
As someone who grew up here, it was the best decision I ever made. A lot has changed in the past few years though. weather used to be much growing but now it's solid.
37 upvotes
Greyson Thomas
accurate
36 upvotes
Joshua G.
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I love the pace of life here. Good luck with whatever you decide..
29 upvotes
Katherine Peterson
We moved here with our family and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Schools in Uptown area are average. Kids love it here.
27 upvotes
Hazel Rodriguez
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. the quality of life is solid. Internet is hit or miss in most areas.
23 upvotes
Jessica C.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a software engineer, 52, moved here 15 years ago from Denver. I've lived in Meadowbrook and North, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Good internet infrastructure
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Road conditions need improvement
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The healthcare situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Meadowbrook: Great for couples. challenging 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 Denver, everything felt better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $80K-$70K here.
**Final verdict:**
Would recommend to anyone considering it.. 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 software engineer, 52, moved here 15 years ago from Denver. I've lived in Meadowbrook and North, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Good internet infrastructure
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Road conditions need improvement
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The healthcare situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Meadowbrook: Great for couples. challenging 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 Denver, everything felt better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $80K-$70K here.
**Final verdict:**
Would recommend to anyone considering it.. 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.
22 upvotes
Shirley G.
Bought a house here in 2021 and it's not perfect but it works for me. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
22 upvotes
Hudson J.
My experience has been mostly positive. it exceeded my expectations. The only thing I'd watch out for is weather. Other than that, It's not for everyone but it works for us..
21 upvotes
Everly Kim
hmm interesting perspective
20 upvotes
Ella Bennett
Used to live on the Maple Ridge side, now on the Old Town side. Completely different vibe. it exceeded my expectations.
15 upvotes
Connor Thompson
yep
11 upvotes
Grace King
I'm a HR manager and I've found it's not perfect but it works for me. The community is decent and there's always something going on.
6 upvotes
Miles Green
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value community vibe, you'll love it. The traffic is genuinely pretty good and I've found there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. My neighborhood (Fairview) is manageable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Tampa, be prepared for the culture shock. outdoor recreation is completely different here. And Chain restaurants dominate.
My advice would be to visit for at least a week before committing. Rent first, don't buy. And explore multiple neighborhoods - they're all different.
If you value community vibe, you'll love it. The traffic is genuinely pretty good and I've found there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. My neighborhood (Fairview) is manageable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Tampa, be prepared for the culture shock. outdoor recreation is completely different here. And Chain restaurants dominate.
My advice would be to visit for at least a week before committing. Rent first, don't buy. And explore multiple neighborhoods - they're all different.
6 upvotes
Declan Hernandez
We moved here with our family and it was the best decision I ever made. Schools in Maple Ridge area are challenging. Kids love it here.
6 upvotes
Hudson Lee
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 12 years ago from Minneapolis and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Old Town. It's tough for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in healthcare. If you're in finance you might struggle.
People: Generally tough. It took about 12 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like Southern.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Old Town. It's tough for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in healthcare. If you're in finance you might struggle.
People: Generally tough. It took about 12 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like Southern.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
6 upvotes
Gabriel Johnson
This.
5 upvotes
Quinn Williams
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a social worker who relocated here from Houston about 4 years ago. The main reasons were cost of living and a job opportunity.
Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Four distinct seasons
- Close to major attractions
Cons that are real:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Dating scene is rough
Financially, we've found it hit or miss compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are wild, gas is hit or miss.
Socially, it's not perfect but it works for me. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
I'm a social worker who relocated here from Houston about 4 years ago. The main reasons were cost of living and a job opportunity.
Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Four distinct seasons
- Close to major attractions
Cons that are real:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Dating scene is rough
Financially, we've found it hit or miss compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are wild, gas is hit or miss.
Socially, it's not perfect but it works for me. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
1 upvotes