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Peyton H.
qa
How are the schools in Waukegan?
Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Property taxes are high but you get good services.
0 upvotes
13 Replies
Landon L.
Moved here from San Diego about 7 years ago. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Still getting used to cost of living but Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
40 upvotes
Virginia M.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a real estate agent, 36, moved here 1 years ago from Seattle. I've lived in North and Old Town, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Close to major attractions
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Road conditions need improvement
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The community vibe situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- North: Great for singles. decent vibes, walkable.
- Old Town: 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 Seattle, everything felt decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $100K-$130K here.
**Final verdict:**
It's not for everyone but it works for us.. 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.
Background: I'm a real estate agent, 36, moved here 1 years ago from Seattle. I've lived in North and Old Town, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Close to major attractions
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Road conditions need improvement
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The community vibe situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- North: Great for singles. decent vibes, walkable.
- Old Town: 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 Seattle, everything felt decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $100K-$130K here.
**Final verdict:**
It's not for everyone but it works for us.. 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.
35 upvotes
Thomas Kelly
The food scene here is average. Tons of great Korean places. the quality of life is solid.
34 upvotes
Nevaeh Collins
it depends on the neighborhood
24 upvotes
Jaxon
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 2-bedroom. the quality of life is solid. Compared to New York it's challenging.
23 upvotes
Austin C.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a accountant, 52, moved here 7 years ago from New York. I've lived in South and Greenfield, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Four distinct seasons
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Rising rent and home prices
2. Limited high-paying job options
3. The public transit situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- South: Great for families. average vibes, walkable.
- Greenfield: 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 New York, everything felt decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $80K-$120K 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.
Background: I'm a accountant, 52, moved here 7 years ago from New York. I've lived in South and Greenfield, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Four distinct seasons
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Rising rent and home prices
2. Limited high-paying job options
3. The public transit situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- South: Great for families. average vibes, walkable.
- Greenfield: 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 New York, everything felt decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $80K-$120K 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.
17 upvotes
Weston
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a physical therapist, 54, moved here 7 years ago from Portland. I've lived in West and Sunset, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Low crime in most neighborhoods
3. Good internet infrastructure
4. The people are generally average - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not very walkable outside downtown
2. Road conditions need improvement
3. The dating scene situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- West: Great for young professionals. excellent vibes, walkable.
- Sunset: 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 Portland, everything felt improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $40K-$110K 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.
Background: I'm a physical therapist, 54, moved here 7 years ago from Portland. I've lived in West and Sunset, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Low crime in most neighborhoods
3. Good internet infrastructure
4. The people are generally average - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not very walkable outside downtown
2. Road conditions need improvement
3. The dating scene situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- West: Great for young professionals. excellent vibes, walkable.
- Sunset: 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 Portland, everything felt improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $40K-$110K 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
Alexa Ramirez
same here
11 upvotes
Oliver Ramirez
interesting, hadn't considered that
9 upvotes
Amelia K.
Used to live on the Westside side, now on the Fairview side. Completely different vibe. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
9 upvotes
Ellie P.
I've lived in Fairview for about 13 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I have mixed feelings honestly. When I first moved here from Houston, I was surprised by weather. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Nice parks and green spaces
- The public transit scene is better than expected
The downsides:
- Winters are long and cold
- Road conditions need improvement
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for families. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
I have mixed feelings honestly. When I first moved here from Houston, I was surprised by weather. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Nice parks and green spaces
- The public transit scene is better than expected
The downsides:
- Winters are long and cold
- Road conditions need improvement
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for families. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
4 upvotes
Lydia Castillo
I've been living here for 9 years and I'd say I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The housing market is tough compared to other places I've lived. Overall Definitely worth checking out..
3 upvotes
Danielle R.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a software engineer, 38, moved here 9 years ago from San Francisco. I've lived in Meadowbrook and Midtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Great outdoor activities nearby
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Nightlife is limited
2. Limited shopping options
3. The job market situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Meadowbrook: Great for singles. better than expected 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 San Francisco, everything felt tough. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $70K-$140K 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.
Background: I'm a software engineer, 38, moved here 9 years ago from San Francisco. I've lived in Meadowbrook and Midtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Great outdoor activities nearby
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Nightlife is limited
2. Limited shopping options
3. The job market situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Meadowbrook: Great for singles. better than expected 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 San Francisco, everything felt tough. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $70K-$140K 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.
3 upvotes