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Robert Walker
housing
Cost of living reality check -Urbana
Hey, Am I overthinking this? The school system varies a lot by neighborhood.
10 upvotes
7 Replies
savannah_mind
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a software engineer, 36, moved here 4 years ago from Pittsburgh. I've lived in Westside and Riverside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Good schools in most areas
3. Lots of new development happening
4. The people are generally hit or miss - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Bugs and humidity in summer
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The cultural scene situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Westside: Great for singles. excellent vibes, walkable.
- Riverside: 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 Pittsburgh, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $50K-$70K here.
**Final verdict:**
Hope this helps!. 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.
Background: I'm a software engineer, 36, moved here 4 years ago from Pittsburgh. I've lived in Westside and Riverside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Good schools in most areas
3. Lots of new development happening
4. The people are generally hit or miss - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Bugs and humidity in summer
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The cultural scene situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Westside: Great for singles. excellent vibes, walkable.
- Riverside: 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 Pittsburgh, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $50K-$70K here.
**Final verdict:**
Hope this helps!. 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.
40 upvotes
Brooklyn J.
Public transit is surprisingly good here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's exactly what I was looking for.
37 upvotes
Eva Foster
Bought a house here in 2016 and the quality of life is solid. Property values have gone about the same since then.
26 upvotes
Eleanor G.
I've lived in Cedar Grove for about 6 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I genuinely enjoy living here. When I first moved here from Seattle, I was surprised by cultural scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Active local events and festivals
- Good airport with direct flights
- The food scene scene is decent
The downsides:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Can feel isolated
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for singles. Definitely worth checking out..
I genuinely enjoy living here. When I first moved here from Seattle, I was surprised by cultural scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Active local events and festivals
- Good airport with direct flights
- The food scene scene is decent
The downsides:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Can feel isolated
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for singles. Definitely worth checking out..
19 upvotes
Jameson M.
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is cost of living. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Worth doing your research before committing.
6 upvotes
Stella Adams
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is weather. I genuinely enjoy living here. Worth doing your research before committing.
4 upvotes
Piper Adams
I've lived in Lakewood for about 5 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I love the pace of life here. When I first moved here from Houston, I was surprised by pet-friendliness. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Strong sense of community
- The traffic scene is improving
The downsides:
- Chain restaurants dominate
- Homeless population growing downtown
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for singles. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
I love the pace of life here. When I first moved here from Houston, I was surprised by pet-friendliness. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Strong sense of community
- The traffic scene is improving
The downsides:
- Chain restaurants dominate
- Homeless population growing downtown
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for singles. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
3 upvotes