Been meaning to ask this. Median household income is $101,049, which feels pretty solid for the area. With a population of 39,055, Streamwood is a smaller city. The suburbs are where most families end up. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. The food scene here is surprisingly good. What do you all think? Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The city has invested a lot in new development. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The suburbs are where most families end up. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Property taxes are high but you get good services.
7 upvotes
27 Replies
Olivia Lewis
glad someone said it
39 upvotes
Cooper Reyes
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 5 years ago from Pittsburgh and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Downtown. It's challenging for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in marketing. If you're in finance you might struggle.
People: Generally pretty good. It took about 16 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: solid. Tons of options if you like craft beer.
Hope this helps!.
39 upvotes
Adeline Cook
The food scene here is excellent. Tons of great craft beer places. the quality of life is solid.
36 upvotes
Ezra Thomas
good to know, thanks
34 upvotes
Linda B.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a teacher, 34, moved here 12 years ago from Minneapolis. I've lived in Eastside and Fairview, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Good schools in most areas
3. Decent public transit for the size
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited high-paying job options
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The public transit situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Eastside: Great for remote workers. underrated 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 Minneapolis, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $50K-$140K 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.
34 upvotes
Aria E.
exactly what I was thinking
33 upvotes
William Flores
noted, appreciate it
33 upvotes
Alexa Price
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a accountant, 34, moved here 2 years ago from Miami. I've lived in Cedar Grove and Old Town, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Decent public transit for the size
2. Four distinct seasons
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited shopping options
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The food scene situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Cedar Grove: Great for young professionals. hit or miss vibes, walkable.
- Old Town: 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 Miami, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $80K-$150K 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.
31 upvotes
James James
Used to live on the Uptown side, now on the The Heights side. Completely different vibe. it exceeded my expectations.
29 upvotes
Thomas Hill
Can confirm, been here 8 years.
29 upvotes
Hunter Miller
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are pretty good, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
28 upvotes
Sadie Brooks
hard disagree but ok
25 upvotes
Nora Martin
honestly same experience here
25 upvotes
Victoria Rivera
as a local I can confirm
25 upvotes
Melanie
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a physical therapist, 47, moved here 4 years ago from Nashville. I've lived in Uptown and Sunset, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Lots of new development happening
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally average - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Chain restaurants dominate
3. The weather situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Uptown: Great for couples. tough vibes, walkable.
- Sunset: 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 Nashville, everything felt tough. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $50K-$110K here.
**Final verdict:**
It's not for everyone but it works for us.. 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
James Nguyen
following this thread
20 upvotes
Sarah P.
As someone who grew up here, it's exactly what I was looking for. A lot has changed in the past few years though. job market used to be much established but now it's decent.
19 upvotes
Abigail Harris
Hot take but it's not perfect but it works for me. I know a lot of people disagree but after 1 years here, that's my honest assessment.
17 upvotes
Katherine Gutierrez
noted, appreciate it
16 upvotes
Alice Howard
I work in hospitality here and I have mixed feelings honestly. The job market for my field is tough. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
14 upvotes
Gabriella Mitchell
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a marketing manager, 57, moved here 5 years ago from Raleigh. I've lived in East and Downtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Good healthcare facilities
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Nightlife is limited
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The dating scene situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- East: Great for singles. tough vibes, walkable.
- Downtown: 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 Raleigh, everything felt average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $100K-$150K 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.
13 upvotes
Audrey Chavez
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value school system, you'll love it. The public transit is genuinely solid and I've found I love the pace of life here. My neighborhood (Cedar Grove) is manageable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Chicago, be prepared for the culture shock. job market is completely different here. And Rising rent and home prices.
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.
12 upvotes
Christian J.
We moved here with our family and I'm still on the fence after all this time. Schools in Riverside area are challenging. Kids love it here.
7 upvotes
Violet Cooper
I've been living here for 9 years and I'd say I have mixed feelings honestly. The weather is challenging compared to other places I've lived. Overall Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
6 upvotes
zoey_chef
I've been living here for 12 years and I'd say it was the best decision I ever made. The healthcare is pretty good compared to other places I've lived. Overall No regrets on my end..
5 upvotes
James B.
The food scene here is underrated. Tons of great Mexican places. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now.
5 upvotes
Ryan Turner
I work in tech here and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The job market for my field is pretty good. Definitely worth checking out..
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