All Countries
Daniel Gonzalez
best-worst
What Urbana does better than anywhere else
It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Does this match your experience? Thanks in advance!
17 upvotes
15 Replies
Sophie D.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a electrician, 45, moved here 15 years ago from Minneapolis. I've lived in Cedar Grove and Lakewood, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Lots of new development happening
3. Active local events and festivals
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not a lot of cultural diversity
2. Road conditions need improvement
3. The community vibe situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Cedar Grove: Great for families. underrated vibes, walkable.
- Lakewood: 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 Minneapolis, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $80K-$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 electrician, 45, moved here 15 years ago from Minneapolis. I've lived in Cedar Grove and Lakewood, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Lots of new development happening
3. Active local events and festivals
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not a lot of cultural diversity
2. Road conditions need improvement
3. The community vibe situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Cedar Grove: Great for families. underrated vibes, walkable.
- Lakewood: 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 Minneapolis, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $80K-$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
Sophie Nelson
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem underrated.
I've been here 2 years and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The thing nobody mentions is traffic. It's manageable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the school system is legit. And if you're into photography, this place is pretty good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The The Heights side vs the Meadowbrook side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
I've been here 2 years and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The thing nobody mentions is traffic. It's manageable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the school system is legit. And if you're into photography, this place is pretty good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The The Heights side vs the Meadowbrook side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
39 upvotes
Kayden Campbell
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 8 years ago from Boston and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Springfield. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in construction. If you're in government you might struggle.
People: Generally solid. It took about 8 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: solid. Tons of options if you like seafood.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Springfield. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in construction. If you're in government you might struggle.
People: Generally solid. It took about 8 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: solid. Tons of options if you like seafood.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
35 upvotes
Greyson Alvarez
haha yep pretty much
35 upvotes
Skylar Hill
haha yep pretty much
30 upvotes
Judith J.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Uptown for 4 years. Moved from Portland for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is decent. We bought in 2020 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
hospitality is strong here. hospitality is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are affordable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I'm still on the fence after all this time. The outdoor scene is underrated - we have beaches 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 challenging. 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. Summers can be brutally hot. Nightlife is limited. And public transit can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 7/10. Definitely worth checking out.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
I've been in Uptown for 4 years. Moved from Portland for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is decent. We bought in 2020 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
hospitality is strong here. hospitality is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are affordable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I'm still on the fence after all this time. The outdoor scene is underrated - we have beaches 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 challenging. 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. Summers can be brutally hot. Nightlife is limited. And public transit can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 7/10. Definitely worth checking out.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
30 upvotes
Bella
I've lived in East for about 1 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I'm still on the fence after all this time. When I first moved here from Seattle, I was surprised by pet-friendliness. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Four distinct seasons
- The dating scene scene is tough
The downsides:
- Winters are long and cold
- Dating scene is rough
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for retirees. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
I'm still on the fence after all this time. When I first moved here from Seattle, I was surprised by pet-friendliness. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Four distinct seasons
- The dating scene scene is tough
The downsides:
- Winters are long and cold
- Dating scene is rough
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for retirees. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
27 upvotes
Roman Adams
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Oak Park for 11 years. Moved from New York for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is excellent. We bought in 2023 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
tech is strong here. finance is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are pricey for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's improved dramatically in recent years. The outdoor scene is average - we have state parks within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Oak Park schools are excellent. 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. Nightlife is limited. Far from beaches/mountains. And pet-friendliness can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 5/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
I've been in Oak Park for 11 years. Moved from New York for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is excellent. We bought in 2023 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
tech is strong here. finance is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are pricey for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's improved dramatically in recent years. The outdoor scene is average - we have state parks within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Oak Park schools are excellent. 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. Nightlife is limited. Far from beaches/mountains. And pet-friendliness can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 5/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
26 upvotes
William Kelly
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a chef who relocated here from Charlotte about 13 years ago. The main reasons were cost of living and family.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Diverse dining options
Cons that are real:
- Limited high-paying job options
- Chain restaurants dominate
Financially, we've found it solid compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are established, gas is average.
Socially, I have mixed feelings honestly. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
I'm a chef who relocated here from Charlotte about 13 years ago. The main reasons were cost of living and family.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Diverse dining options
Cons that are real:
- Limited high-paying job options
- Chain restaurants dominate
Financially, we've found it solid compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are established, gas is average.
Socially, I have mixed feelings honestly. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
25 upvotes
Jeremiah Williams
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value weather, you'll love it. The housing market is genuinely pretty good and I've found the quality of life is solid. My neighborhood (North) is pricey and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Seattle, be prepared for the culture shock. job market is completely different here. And Road conditions need improvement.
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.
If you value weather, you'll love it. The housing market is genuinely pretty good and I've found the quality of life is solid. My neighborhood (North) is pricey and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Seattle, be prepared for the culture shock. job market is completely different here. And Road conditions need improvement.
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.
24 upvotes
Gabriel L.
haha yep pretty much
24 upvotes
Daniel Williams
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I genuinely enjoy living here. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
22 upvotes
Wesley Torres
lol so true
19 upvotes
Jayden Hughes
honestly same experience here
17 upvotes
Emilia Foster
hmm interesting perspective
0 upvotes