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Samuel Patel moving

Thinking about relocating to Waukegan from Orlando

Alright, Rent is about $1,163/month for a decent place. It's a a smaller city city with about 88,919 people. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much.
26 upvotes

5 Replies

Maria O.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.

Background: I'm a lawyer, 31, moved here 10 years ago from Nashville. I've lived in Midtown and Oak Park, and traveled to most parts of the metro.

**What I love:**
1. Decent public transit for the size
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Four distinct seasons
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year

**What I don't love:**
1. Limited high-paying job options
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The weather situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving

**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Midtown: Great for couples. tough vibes, walkable.
- Oak Park: 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 Nashville, everything felt hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $50K-$110K here.

**Final verdict:**
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. 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.
28 upvotes
Genesis Jimenez
The food scene here is tough. Tons of great Korean places. it exceeded my expectations.
25 upvotes
clara_rider
Used to live on the Sunset side, now on the Lakewood side. Completely different vibe. it's improved dramatically in recent years.
21 upvotes
Easton Evans
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem surprisingly good.

I've been here 2 years and it's not perfect but it works for me. The thing nobody mentions is outdoor recreation. It's stable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.

That said, the school system is legit. And if you're into kayaking, this place is surprisingly good.

Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Greenfield side vs the Cedar Grove side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.

Hope this helps!.
2 upvotes
Zoey
seconding this
0 upvotes
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