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Betty P.
qa
Urbana in the winter -how bad?
Hello, Any advice would be great. The suburbs are where most families end up.
14 upvotes
3 Replies
Ellie C.
I work in real estate here and it's been a really good experience overall. The job market for my field is better than expected. No regrets on my end..
39 upvotes
Ryan Taylor
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Uptown for 12 years. Moved from Seattle for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is excellent. We bought in 2022 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
retail is strong here. retail 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:**
I love the pace of life here. The outdoor scene is pretty good - we have hiking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Uptown schools are better than expected. 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. Winters are long and cold. Homeless population growing downtown. And school system can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 7/10. It's not for everyone but it works for us.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
I've been in Uptown for 12 years. Moved from Seattle for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is excellent. We bought in 2022 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
retail is strong here. retail 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:**
I love the pace of life here. The outdoor scene is pretty good - we have hiking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Uptown schools are better than expected. 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. Winters are long and cold. Homeless population growing downtown. And school system can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 7/10. It's not for everyone but it works for us.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
11 upvotes
omaha_leah
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a electrician who relocated here from Charlotte about 11 years ago. The main reasons were a fresh start and a fresh start.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Good schools in most areas
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Chain restaurants dominate
- Limited entertainment options
Financially, we've found it hit or miss compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are developing, gas is improving.
Socially, I genuinely enjoy living here. Good luck with whatever you decide..
I'm a electrician who relocated here from Charlotte about 11 years ago. The main reasons were a fresh start and a fresh start.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Good schools in most areas
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Chain restaurants dominate
- Limited entertainment options
Financially, we've found it hit or miss compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are developing, gas is improving.
Socially, I genuinely enjoy living here. Good luck with whatever you decide..
5 upvotes