Just moved here 15 months ago and Average temperature is around 53--F, so expect cold winters. It's a a small town city with about 2,288 people. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The city has invested a lot in new development. The city has invested a lot in new development. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods.
1 upvotes
7 Replies
Miles T.
interesting, hadn't considered that
30 upvotes
Leo White
Bought a house here in 2018 and I love the pace of life here. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
29 upvotes
Claire Hughes
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a sales manager, 52, moved here 15 years ago from LA. I've lived in Eastside and Oak Park, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Lots of new development happening
2. Affordable housing options
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Can feel isolated
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The cultural scene situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Eastside: Great for couples. tough vibes, walkable.
- Oak Park: 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 LA, everything felt solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $70K-$110K here.
**Final verdict:**
Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. 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.
27 upvotes
Charlotte Lewis
thanks for sharing
19 upvotes
hunter_kid
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 9 years ago from Portland and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Oak Park. It's hit or miss for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in legal. If you're in education you might struggle.
People: Generally challenging. It took about 5 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like Indian.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
7 upvotes
Genesis Green
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Internet is better than expected in most areas.
5 upvotes
Madison W.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a sales manager who relocated here from Tampa about 10 years ago. The main reasons were family and work.
Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Strong job market in several industries
- Close to major attractions
Cons that are real:
- Winters are long and cold
- Property taxes are high
Financially, we've found it improving compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are pricey, gas is hit or miss.
Socially, it's been a really good experience overall. Happy to answer more specific questions..
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