Curious what people think. Rent is about $646/month for a decent place. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Worth the trade-offs? Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. The city has invested a lot in new development.
13 upvotes
5 Replies
Ezra Richardson
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Midtown for 11 years. Moved from New York for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is challenging. We bought in 2017 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
marketing is strong here. tech 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 wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The outdoor scene is improving - we have state parks 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 better than expected. 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. Homeless population growing downtown. And healthcare can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 6/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
40 upvotes
Scarlett Kim
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Eastside for 13 years. Moved from Baltimore for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is pretty good. We bought in 2018 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
marketing is strong here. tech is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are established for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's not perfect but it works for me. 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. Eastside schools are solid. 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. Winters are long and cold. Nightlife is limited. And job market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 8/10. It's not for everyone but it works for us.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
39 upvotes
Caroline Davis
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value dating scene, you'll love it. The cost of living is genuinely challenging and I've found I'm still on the fence after all this time. My neighborhood (Midtown) is reasonable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Chicago, be prepared for the culture shock. dating scene is completely different here. And Winters are long and cold.
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.
20 upvotes
Audrey Castillo
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 1 years ago from Minneapolis and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Meadowbrook. It's excellent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in hospitality. If you're in marketing you might struggle.
People: Generally tough. It took about 4 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: improving. Tons of options if you like Vietnamese.
No regrets on my end..
17 upvotes
Judith L.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem excellent.
I've been here 14 years and it was the best decision I ever made. The thing nobody mentions is job market. It's wild and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the outdoor recreation is legit. And if you're into skiing, this place is hit or miss.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The North side vs the Midtown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
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