I'm a college student here and The median home value here is around $155,900, which is actually reasonable. Poverty rate is 9.0%, which is pretty low. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Worth the trade-offs? There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods.
21 upvotes
12 Replies
Lillian Johnson
bump
40 upvotes
Willow Hill
bump
23 upvotes
Carter C.
My experience has been mostly positive. it's exactly what I was looking for. The only thing I'd watch out for is pet-friendliness. Other than that, Happy to answer more specific questions..
18 upvotes
Genesis Carter
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 2-bedroom. I love the pace of life here. Compared to Portland it's excellent.
17 upvotes
Luke Gonzalez
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value cost of living, you'll love it. The weather is genuinely improving and I've found I have mixed feelings honestly. My neighborhood (Oak Park) is wild and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Pittsburgh, be prepared for the culture shock. walkability is completely different here. And Summers can be brutally hot.
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.
12 upvotes
Chloe Stewart
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem better than expected.
I've been here 1 years and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The thing nobody mentions is outdoor recreation. It's stable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the outdoor recreation is legit. And if you're into hiking, this place is pretty good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Westside side vs the Springfield side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
10 upvotes
Landon M.
preach
8 upvotes
fresno_zoey
We moved here with our family and it's improved dramatically in recent years. Schools in Oak Park area are improving. Kids love it here.
8 upvotes
Kayden H.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a physical therapist who relocated here from Chicago about 5 years ago. The main reasons were a job opportunity and a job opportunity.
Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Good airport with direct flights
Cons that are real:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Road conditions need improvement
Financially, we've found it surprisingly good compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are established, gas is tough.
Socially, I'm still on the fence after all this time. Hope this helps!.
8 upvotes
Bradley B.
I work in manufacturing here and I genuinely enjoy living here. The job market for my field is challenging. Happy to answer more specific questions..
8 upvotes
Joshua
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem excellent.
I've been here 10 years and it's been a really good experience overall. The thing nobody mentions is outdoor recreation. It's affordable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the dating scene is legit. And if you're into kayaking, this place is challenging.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The North side vs the Midtown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
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