I'm a teacher here and The unemployment rate is 1.8%, which is pretty low. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. What neighborhoods would you suggest? I'd say it's better for families than young singles. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting.
9 upvotes
13 Replies
Hannah S.
seconding this
30 upvotes
Jeremiah Clark
nah I disagree
17 upvotes
Michael C.
Hot take but there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. I know a lot of people disagree but after 7 years here, that's my honest assessment.
15 upvotes
chicago_wesley
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value food scene, you'll love it. The public transit is genuinely challenging and I've found it's improved dramatically in recent years. My neighborhood (Oak Park) is developing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Baltimore, be prepared for the culture shock. cultural scene is completely different here. And Not very walkable outside downtown.
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.
15 upvotes
James Patel
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in South for 15 years. Moved from Miami for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is pretty good. We bought in 2024 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. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
legal is strong here. consulting is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are manageable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it exceeded my expectations. The outdoor scene is pretty good - 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. South 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. Not a lot of cultural diversity. Far from beaches/mountains. And community vibe can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 9/10. Hope this helps!. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
12 upvotes
Emily B.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 3 years ago from San Diego and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Cedar Grove. It's tough for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in retail. If you're in marketing you might struggle.
People: Generally better than expected. It took about 3 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: pretty good. Tons of options if you like Asian.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
9 upvotes
Declan H.
I've lived in Meadowbrook for about 5 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it exceeded my expectations. When I first moved here from Austin, I was surprised by food scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Good airport with direct flights
- The safety scene is underrated
The downsides:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Can feel isolated
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for families. No regrets on my end..
9 upvotes
Noah C.
exactly what I was thinking
9 upvotes
Elijah Nguyen
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 15 years ago from San Francisco and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Uptown. It's hit or miss for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in consulting. If you're in finance you might struggle.
People: Generally excellent. It took about 13 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: excellent. Tons of options if you like Mexican.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
7 upvotes
Wyatt H.
Bought a house here in 2020 and it's exactly what I was looking for. Property values have gone up significantly since then.
6 upvotes
Noah E.
Came here for cost of living and stayed because I genuinely enjoy living here. The nightlife is honestly better than expected and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
4 upvotes
Jace B.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 5 years ago from Chicago 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 Eastside. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is manageable right now, especially in retail. If you're in legal you might struggle.
People: Generally decent. It took about 3 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: underrated. Tons of options if you like Vietnamese.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
2 upvotes
Audrey Robinson
Weather-wise, the summers are pretty good and winters are growing. You get used to it after the first year.
All Countries
