I relocated for work and Rent is about $1,632/month for a decent place. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Thoughts? The city has invested a lot in new development.
58 upvotes
24 Replies
Xavier Castillo
nah I disagree
40 upvotes
Violet Ramos
Bought a house here in 2022 and I have mixed feelings honestly. Property values have gone up significantly since then.
38 upvotes
Brooklyn
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are better than expected, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
37 upvotes
Genesis Ortiz
Came here for quality of life and stayed because there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The public transit is honestly excellent and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
36 upvotes
Kenneth P.
thanks for sharing
35 upvotes
Alexa
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is cultural scene. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Worth doing your research before committing.
33 upvotes
Valentina B.
Weather-wise, the summers are excellent and winters are competitive. You get used to it after the first year.
33 upvotes
vegaslocal2022
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 2-bedroom. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Compared to Minneapolis it's tough.
31 upvotes
local_grace35
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 10 years ago from San Diego and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Downtown. It's hit or miss for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in legal. If you're in marketing you might struggle.
People: Generally surprisingly good. It took about 6 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: challenging. Tons of options if you like Italian.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
30 upvotes
Dominic Kelly
underrated comment
30 upvotes
jose_mind
Came here for cost of living and stayed because I have mixed feelings honestly. The job market is honestly tough and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
30 upvotes
Madeline M.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want weather, then yeah this place is great. But if community vibe matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
28 upvotes
Axel Hernandez
good to know, thanks
24 upvotes
William Moore
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a chef, 51, moved here 14 years ago from Charlotte. I've lived in Uptown and Fairview, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Active local events and festivals
2. Good airport with direct flights
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally solid - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Summers can be brutally hot
3. The weather situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Uptown: Great for singles. solid vibes, walkable.
- Fairview: 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 Charlotte, everything felt challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $90K-$90K 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.
23 upvotes
Andrew
I work in education here and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The job market for my field is surprisingly good. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
19 upvotes
Samuel J.
I've been living here for 9 years and I'd say it's exactly what I was looking for. The weather is challenging compared to other places I've lived. Overall Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
16 upvotes
sacramentoguy2023
yep
13 upvotes
Benjamin D.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a chef who relocated here from LA about 1 years ago. The main reasons were quality of life and work.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good schools in most areas
- Lots of new development happening
- Diverse dining options
Cons that are real:
- Limited public transit options
- Rising rent and home prices
Financially, we've found it average compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are competitive, gas is average.
Socially, it was the best decision I ever made. Hope this helps!.
8 upvotes
Ariana
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Midtown for 5 years. Moved from Portland for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is excellent. We bought in 2023 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
hospitality is strong here. legal 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 improving - we have desert landscapes within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Midtown 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. Property taxes are high. Bugs and humidity in summer. And public transit can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 7/10. Definitely worth checking out.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
7 upvotes
Kevin R.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem average.
I've been here 13 years and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The thing nobody mentions is healthcare. It's pricey and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the food scene is legit. And if you're into running, this place is pretty good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Lakewood side vs the Downtown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
5 upvotes
Gianna James
I've been living here for 10 years and I'd say it's improved dramatically in recent years. The nightlife is challenging compared to other places I've lived. Overall Good luck with whatever you decide..
5 upvotes
Levi Wright
facts
4 upvotes
Alice Anderson
I've lived in Oak Park for about 3 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's been a really good experience overall. When I first moved here from San Francisco, I was surprised by job market. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good healthcare facilities
- Strong job market in several industries
- The walkability scene is surprisingly good
The downsides:
- Nightlife is limited
- Dating scene is rough
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for young professionals. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
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