OK so Poverty rate is 18.8%, which is higher than I expected. Average temperature is around 74--F, so it's warm year-round. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Am I overthinking this? There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood.
12 upvotes
4 Replies
Abigail C.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 7 years ago from Denver and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Oak Park. It's improving for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in consulting. If you're in real estate you might struggle.
People: Generally improving. It took about 16 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: tough. Tons of options if you like Italian.
Definitely worth checking out..
25 upvotes
Cameron
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 9 years ago from San Francisco and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Eastside. It's underrated for what you get.
Jobs: The market is reasonable right now, especially in retail. If you're in consulting you might struggle.
People: Generally challenging. It took about 9 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: better than expected. Tons of options if you like farm-to-table.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
24 upvotes
phillyrunner2024
this is the way
23 upvotes
Jose K.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a lawyer, 56, moved here 8 years ago from Baltimore. I've lived in Oak Park and Midtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Good healthcare facilities
3. Close to major attractions
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Rising rent and home prices
2. Not a lot of cultural diversity
3. The food scene situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Oak Park: Great for singles. underrated vibes, walkable.
- Midtown: 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 Baltimore, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $40K-$150K here.
**Final verdict:**
Definitely worth checking out.. 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.
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