First post here. My family moved here when I was a kid. Poverty rate is 2.3%, which is pretty low. You can expect to pay around $1,398 for rent here. With a population of 22,456, Villa Park is a small town. The median home value here is around $313,100, which seems about average. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. What do you all think? People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods.
8 upvotes
8 Replies
nolaheart2022
Moved here from Baltimore about 5 years ago. it's not perfect but it works for me. Still getting used to nightlife but Hope this helps!.
40 upvotes
Everett Smith
Came here for my partner's job and stayed because it's improved dramatically in recent years. The healthcare is honestly better than expected and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
31 upvotes
Angel Reyes
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a contractor, 43, moved here 15 years ago from Pittsburgh. I've lived in West and South, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Good internet infrastructure
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not very walkable outside downtown
2. Chain restaurants dominate
3. The public transit situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- West: Great for retirees. underrated vibes, walkable.
- South: 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 improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $100K-$150K here.
**Final verdict:**
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. 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.
28 upvotes
Jaxon Garcia
I've lived in Sunset for about 3 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 Baltimore, I was surprised by weather. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Decent public transit for the size
- Good internet infrastructure
- The outdoor recreation scene is challenging
The downsides:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Rising rent and home prices
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for retirees. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
17 upvotes
Randy R.
glad someone said it
11 upvotes
Serenity Wilson
wish I knew this sooner
9 upvotes
Adam Diaz
Hot take but I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. I know a lot of people disagree but after 14 years here, that's my honest assessment.
1 upvotes
isla_living
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem hit or miss.
I've been here 15 years and the quality of life is solid. The thing nobody mentions is nightlife. It's affordable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the public transit is legit. And if you're into golfing, this place is excellent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Riverside side vs the Lakewood side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
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