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Everly M.
qa
Grocery stores in Urbana -recommendations?
First post here. Anyone in a similar situation? Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look.
12 upvotes
12 Replies
Ezekiel Hill
good to know, thanks
39 upvotes
Alice C.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a writer, 42, moved here 3 years ago from Boston. I've lived in Oak Park and Uptown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Property taxes are high
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The nightlife situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Oak Park: Great for remote workers. challenging vibes, walkable.
- Uptown: 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 Boston, everything felt underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $40K-$140K here.
**Final verdict:**
It's not for everyone but it works for us.. 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 writer, 42, moved here 3 years ago from Boston. I've lived in Oak Park and Uptown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Property taxes are high
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The nightlife situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Oak Park: Great for remote workers. challenging vibes, walkable.
- Uptown: 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 Boston, everything felt underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $40K-$140K here.
**Final verdict:**
It's not for everyone but it works for us.. 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.
37 upvotes
Austin Taylor
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a project manager, 45, moved here 9 years ago from LA. I've lived in East and West, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Four distinct seasons
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally average - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Property taxes are high
2. Chain restaurants dominate
3. The dating scene situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- East: Great for singles. solid vibes, walkable.
- West: 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 tough. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $60K-$150K 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 project manager, 45, moved here 9 years ago from LA. I've lived in East and West, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Four distinct seasons
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally average - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Property taxes are high
2. Chain restaurants dominate
3. The dating scene situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- East: Great for singles. solid vibes, walkable.
- West: 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 tough. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $60K-$150K 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.
36 upvotes
Jesse R.
Used to live on the Old Town side, now on the Oak Park side. Completely different vibe. it was the best decision I ever made.
36 upvotes
Jack
Used to live on the Fairview side, now on the Lakewood side. Completely different vibe. it's not perfect but it works for me.
34 upvotes
Ezra
this is the way
25 upvotes
Claire Foster
facts
21 upvotes
Elijah R.
been saying this for years
21 upvotes
Joseph Gray
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem improving.
I've been here 7 years and I love the pace of life here. The thing nobody mentions is weather. It's wild and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the housing market is legit. And if you're into golfing, this place is underrated.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Downtown side vs the The Heights side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
I've been here 7 years and I love the pace of life here. The thing nobody mentions is weather. It's wild and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the housing market is legit. And if you're into golfing, this place is underrated.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Downtown side vs the The Heights side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
21 upvotes
tulsa_josiah
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a accountant, 32, moved here 13 years ago from San Diego. I've lived in Fairview and Springfield, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Friendly community, easy to meet people
3. Strong job market in several industries
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Rising rent and home prices
2. Can feel isolated
3. The school system situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Fairview: Great for couples. tough vibes, walkable.
- Springfield: 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 San Diego, everything felt excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $70K-$130K here.
**Final verdict:**
Feel free to reach out with questions.. 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 accountant, 32, moved here 13 years ago from San Diego. I've lived in Fairview and Springfield, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Friendly community, easy to meet people
3. Strong job market in several industries
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Rising rent and home prices
2. Can feel isolated
3. The school system situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Fairview: Great for couples. tough vibes, walkable.
- Springfield: 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 San Diego, everything felt excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $70K-$130K here.
**Final verdict:**
Feel free to reach out with questions.. 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.
10 upvotes
Adam R.
I've lived in Maple Ridge for about 5 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. When I first moved here from Dallas, I was surprised by cultural scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Close to major attractions
- The healthcare scene is solid
The downsides:
- Limited public transit options
- Limited shopping options
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for remote workers. Hope this helps!.
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. When I first moved here from Dallas, I was surprised by cultural scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Close to major attractions
- The healthcare scene is solid
The downsides:
- Limited public transit options
- Limited shopping options
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for remote workers. Hope this helps!.
7 upvotes
Sophie Stewart
thanks for sharing
4 upvotes