Been meaning to ask this. You can expect to pay around $2,232 for rent here. Homes are going for about $705,700 on average. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Has anyone dealt with this? It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. The suburbs are where most families end up. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The suburbs are where most families end up. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years.
8 upvotes
12 Replies
Jayden C.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Downtown for 5 years. Moved from Salt Lake City for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is solid. We bought in 2017 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. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
government is strong here. construction 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 not perfect but it works for me. The outdoor scene is better than expected - 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. Downtown schools are tough. 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. Urban sprawl is real. Limited high-paying job options. And healthcare can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 5/10. Hope this helps!. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
34 upvotes
Sophie Smith
Moved here last year, no regrets.
34 upvotes
stlfan2021
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 11 years ago from New York and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Midtown. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in retail. If you're in healthcare you might struggle.
People: Generally better than expected. It took about 5 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: solid. Tons of options if you like Mexican.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
31 upvotes
Lydia Perez
Weather-wise, the summers are pretty good and winters are manageable. You get used to it after the first year.
28 upvotes
Owen Watson
big facts right here
26 upvotes
Theodore Gray
I've lived in Oak Park for about 12 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
the quality of life is solid. When I first moved here from Austin, I was surprised by weather. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good internet infrastructure
- Active local events and festivals
- The healthcare scene is solid
The downsides:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Limited entertainment options
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for families. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
22 upvotes
Aurora G.
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 2-bedroom. I genuinely enjoy living here. Compared to Boston it's pretty good.
16 upvotes
Lily King
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a software engineer who relocated here from Austin about 7 years ago. The main reasons were weather and quality of life.
Pros I've experienced:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Good internet infrastructure
- Close to major attractions
Cons that are real:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Road conditions need improvement
Financially, we've found it pretty good compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are competitive, gas is hit or miss.
Socially, it's not perfect but it works for me. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
16 upvotes
Valentina Baker
Moved here last year, no regrets.
10 upvotes
lake_luca50
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 3 years ago from Miami and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Uptown. It's pretty good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is manageable right now, especially in tech. If you're in government you might struggle.
People: Generally pretty good. It took about 6 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: underrated. Tons of options if you like Indian.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
7 upvotes
Justin H.
Moved here from Chicago about 15 years ago. I genuinely enjoy living here. Still getting used to food scene but Feel free to reach out with questions..
2 upvotes
Jose Diaz
Came here for my partner's job and stayed because I genuinely enjoy living here. The school system is honestly pretty good and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
All Countries
