Hi all, I've been here for 2 years and You can expect to pay around $1,568 for rent here. Poverty rate is 10.6%, which is around average. The median home value here is around $493,700, which is pretty steep. With a population of 11,825, Wallington is a small town. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. The city has invested a lot in new development. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Night life is decent if you know the right spots.
3 upvotes
14 Replies
Leah H.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 1 years ago from Nashville and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Springfield. It's pretty good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in healthcare. If you're in engineering you might struggle.
People: Generally solid. It took about 4 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: solid. Tons of options if you like Thai.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
39 upvotes
Owen
Moved here last year, no regrets.
34 upvotes
Caroline E.
As someone who grew up here, it's been a really good experience overall. A lot has changed in the past few years though. cost of living used to be much wild but now it's tough.
32 upvotes
Maverick S.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a marketing manager who relocated here from Chicago about 5 years ago. The main reasons were quality of life and school.
Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Good healthcare facilities
- Affordable housing options
Cons that are real:
- Winters are long and cold
- Far from beaches/mountains
Financially, we've found it underrated compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are developing, gas is decent.
Socially, I love the pace of life here. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
31 upvotes
Kennedy T.
Bought a house here in 2018 and I'm still on the fence after all this time. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
31 upvotes
Angel H.
+1
30 upvotes
Robert Evans
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value dating scene, you'll love it. The safety is genuinely decent and I've found I'm still on the fence after all this time. My neighborhood (Downtown) is developing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Dallas, be prepared for the culture shock. healthcare is completely different here. And Not very walkable outside downtown.
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.
28 upvotes
Eli Baker
Bought a house here in 2023 and it's exactly what I was looking for. Property values have gone up significantly since then.
22 upvotes
Lisa W.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Uptown for 11 years. Moved from Pittsburgh for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is better than expected. 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 3-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
marketing is strong here. construction is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are competitive for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The outdoor scene is hit or miss - we have lakes 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 surprisingly good. 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. Chain restaurants dominate. Far from beaches/mountains. And housing market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 6/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
21 upvotes
Isaac Martinez
I've lived in The Heights for about 10 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it was the best decision I ever made. When I first moved here from Tampa, I was surprised by outdoor recreation. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Diverse dining options
- The traffic scene is decent
The downsides:
- Winters are long and cold
- Limited entertainment options
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for couples. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
19 upvotes
Ariana Ward
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a real estate agent who relocated here from Miami about 7 years ago. The main reasons were family and school.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good schools in most areas
- Close to major attractions
- Good airport with direct flights
Cons that are real:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Homeless population growing downtown
Financially, we've found it pretty good compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are reasonable, gas is improving.
Socially, I have mixed feelings honestly. Happy to answer more specific questions..
11 upvotes
Samuel Mendoza
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Midtown for 10 years. Moved from Seattle for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is hit or miss. We bought in 2023 at k and it's now worth down slightly 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:**
real estate is strong here. marketing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are competitive for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I love the pace of life here. The outdoor scene is tough - we have lakes 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 average. 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. Chain restaurants dominate. And housing market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 5/10. It's not for everyone but it works for us.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
10 upvotes
Oliver Richardson
as a local I can confirm
8 upvotes
Serenity
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a writer, 41, moved here 3 years ago from Chicago. I've lived in Oak Park and Cedar Grove, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Low crime in most neighborhoods
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Property taxes are high
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The food scene situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Oak Park: Great for young professionals. underrated vibes, walkable.
- Cedar Grove: 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 Chicago, everything felt tough. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $90K-$130K 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.
All Countries
