Alright, Been living here since 2011. Poverty rate is 27.1%, which is higher than I expected. The median home value here is around $80,100, which is actually reasonable. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The weather takes some getting used to.
19 upvotes
5 Replies
Mateo Ruiz
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a project manager, 55, moved here 6 years ago from Salt Lake City. I've lived in The Heights and West, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Four distinct seasons
2. Diverse dining options
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited high-paying job options
2. Chain restaurants dominate
3. The weather situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- The Heights: Great for singles. improving vibes, walkable.
- West: 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 Salt Lake City, everything felt improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $40K-$150K here.
**Final verdict:**
Would recommend to anyone considering it.. 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.
38 upvotes
Carson Hall
Can confirm, been here 14 years.
24 upvotes
Scarlett Rivera
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a contractor, 30, moved here 7 years ago from Tampa. I've lived in Eastside and East, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Lots of new development happening
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. Limited entertainment options
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The outdoor recreation situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Eastside: Great for remote workers. challenging vibes, walkable.
- East: 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 Tampa, everything felt decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $60K-$70K here.
**Final verdict:**
Feel free to reach out with questions.. 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.
17 upvotes
Cooper Scott
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem better than expected.
I've been here 11 years and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The thing nobody mentions is housing market. It's manageable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the pet-friendliness is legit. And if you're into camping, this place is better than expected.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Oak Park side vs the Westside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
No regrets on my end..
13 upvotes
Jose B.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a teacher who relocated here from San Francisco about 6 years ago. The main reasons were family and school.
Pros I've experienced:
- Affordable housing options
- Diverse dining options
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Can feel isolated
Financially, we've found it tough compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are wild, gas is surprisingly good.
Socially, it exceeded my expectations. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
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