First post here. I've been here for 14 years and Rent is about $692/month for a decent place. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. What would you do? It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look.
4 upvotes
9 Replies
Adam R.
lol so true
36 upvotes
Silas Edwards
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is community vibe. it was the best decision I ever made. Worth doing your research before committing.
32 upvotes
Ruby Foster
The food scene here is decent. Tons of great Italian places. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now.
25 upvotes
sd_carson
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 6 years ago from San Diego and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in The Heights. It's solid for what you get.
Jobs: The market is reasonable right now, especially in retail. If you're in healthcare you might struggle.
People: Generally better than expected. It took about 8 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: average. Tons of options if you like BBQ.
Definitely worth checking out..
23 upvotes
Carson Rogers
This.
23 upvotes
Henry
same here
22 upvotes
Serenity Martinez
I've lived in West for about 1 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I love the pace of life here. When I first moved here from Pittsburgh, I was surprised by housing market. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Four distinct seasons
- Affordable housing options
- The cultural scene scene is underrated
The downsides:
- Chain restaurants dominate
- Can feel isolated
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for singles. Happy to answer more specific questions..
21 upvotes
Helen F.
I've lived in Oak Park for about 3 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. When I first moved here from San Diego, I was surprised by community vibe. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Lots of new development happening
- The cultural scene scene is challenging
The downsides:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for retirees. Hope this helps!.
12 upvotes
Caleb Carter
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a data analyst who relocated here from Pittsburgh about 12 years ago. The main reasons were weather and my partner's job.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good schools in most areas
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Four distinct seasons
Cons that are real:
- Limited public transit options
- Winters are long and cold
Financially, we've found it tough compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are developing, gas is decent.
Socially, the quality of life is solid. No regrets on my end..
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