OK so Military spouse here. Crime rate is something to consider -Warrenville sits at 75.4 per 100K. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. What neighborhoods would you suggest? There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus.
0 upvotes
10 Replies
aaron_fan
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's been a really good experience overall. Hope this helps!.
35 upvotes
Sarah R.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in South for 10 years. Moved from Houston for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is excellent. We bought in 2020 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. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
engineering is strong here. healthcare is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are affordable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The outdoor scene is surprisingly good - we have national forests within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. South 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. Limited shopping options. Far from beaches/mountains. And safety can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 7/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
31 upvotes
Sophie Hall
Saving this thread
31 upvotes
Katherine Thomas
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a pharmacist, 58, moved here 12 years ago from Chicago. I've lived in Cedar Grove and Eastside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Low crime in most neighborhoods
2. Good healthcare facilities
3. Good airport with direct flights
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. Dating scene is rough
3. The dating scene situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Cedar Grove: Great for remote workers. hit or miss vibes, walkable.
- Eastside: 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 challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $70K-$120K 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.
27 upvotes
Luca Phillips
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a marketing manager who relocated here from New York about 10 years ago. The main reasons were my partner's job and work.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good schools in most areas
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Limited public transit options
- Rising rent and home prices
Financially, we've found it improving compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are reasonable, gas is surprisingly good.
Socially, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
27 upvotes
Skylar Rivera
As someone who grew up here, it's exactly what I was looking for. A lot has changed in the past few years though. food scene used to be much affordable but now it's surprisingly good.
25 upvotes
Isabelle A.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 11 years ago from Houston and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in North. It's decent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in tech. If you're in construction you might struggle.
People: Generally better than expected. It took about 18 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: improving. Tons of options if you like Thai.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
24 upvotes
Sophia
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value safety, you'll love it. The healthcare is genuinely challenging and I've found it's improved dramatically in recent years. My neighborhood (North) is established and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Charlotte, be prepared for the culture shock. dating scene is completely different here. And Limited public transit options.
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.
23 upvotes
Elizabeth Gutierrez
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Internet is average in most areas.
13 upvotes
Grayson Moore
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 7 years ago from Atlanta and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Westside. It's pretty good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in real estate. If you're in real estate you might struggle.
People: Generally hit or miss. It took about 7 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: improving. Tons of options if you like sushi.
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