Hey folks, Median household income is $101,407, which feels pretty solid for the area. Homes are going for about $688,800 on average. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Thanks in advance! It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The weather takes some getting used to.
9 upvotes
23 Replies
philly_elena
+1
40 upvotes
orlando_eli
I'm a real estate agent and I've found it's improved dramatically in recent years. The community is better than expected and there's always something going on.
34 upvotes
Joshua
yeah no that's not right
34 upvotes
Mackenzie Jones
hmm interesting perspective
33 upvotes
Jameson Davis
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are average, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
33 upvotes
Isabella G.
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are improving, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
29 upvotes
Chloe G.
following this thread
28 upvotes
Gabriel
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 5 years ago from Seattle and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Oak Park. It's decent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in consulting. If you're in construction you might struggle.
People: Generally underrated. It took about 4 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: surprisingly good. Tons of options if you like BBQ.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
28 upvotes
Declan A.
great question, following
24 upvotes
Betty H.
I'm a sales manager and I've found I have mixed feelings honestly. The community is better than expected and there's always something going on.
18 upvotes
Elena Sanders
Moved here from Austin about 15 years ago. I genuinely enjoy living here. Still getting used to healthcare but Good luck with whatever you decide..
12 upvotes
Jayden Diaz
I've been living here for 9 years and I'd say I love the pace of life here. The healthcare is solid compared to other places I've lived. Overall Definitely worth checking out..
12 upvotes
Eli Mitchell
couldn't agree more
11 upvotes
Sebastian Foster
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem decent.
I've been here 6 years and the quality of life is solid. The thing nobody mentions is outdoor recreation. It's established and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the dating scene is legit. And if you're into running, this place is better than expected.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The East side vs the Highland side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
11 upvotes
Aiden James
underrated comment
11 upvotes
Ezekiel J.
Hot take but it's improved dramatically in recent years. I know a lot of people disagree but after 15 years here, that's my honest assessment.
10 upvotes
Brooks W.
As someone who grew up here, the quality of life is solid. A lot has changed in the past few years though. job market used to be much developing but now it's decent.
9 upvotes
Austin Mendoza
facts
6 upvotes
Stephen M.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value weather, you'll love it. The nightlife is genuinely better than expected and I've found I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. My neighborhood (Meadowbrook) is growing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Baltimore, be prepared for the culture shock. weather is completely different here. And Nightlife is limited.
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.
5 upvotes
Arianna Thompson
This.
4 upvotes
Aubrey Garcia
big facts right here
4 upvotes
fresno_adam
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a software engineer who relocated here from Salt Lake City about 8 years ago. The main reasons were family and retirement.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good schools in most areas
- Lots of new development happening
- Affordable housing options
Cons that are real:
- Limited high-paying job options
- Property taxes are high
Financially, we've found it excellent compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are pricey, gas is hit or miss.
Socially, I have mixed feelings honestly. Definitely worth checking out..
0 upvotes
Wayne P.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's been a really good experience overall. Internet is pretty good in most areas.