Alright, Crime rate is something to consider -Westchester sits at 231.7 per 100K. The unemployment rate is 2.3%, which is pretty low. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Am I overthinking this? There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The food scene here is surprisingly good.
15 upvotes
13 Replies
Ezekiel Robinson
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem solid.
I've been here 8 years and it's not perfect but it works for me. The thing nobody mentions is cost of living. It's developing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cost of living is legit. And if you're into hiking, this place is solid.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Highland side vs the Old Town side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
35 upvotes
Daniel Anderson
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a data analyst who relocated here from Portland about 14 years ago. The main reasons were a job opportunity and my partner's job.
Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Strong sense of community
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Limited shopping options
Financially, we've found it decent compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are established, gas is decent.
Socially, I'm still on the fence after all this time. Hope this helps!.
32 upvotes
Grayson Morgan
Moved here from Houston about 3 years ago. I love the pace of life here. Still getting used to pet-friendliness but Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
31 upvotes
Andrew S.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 6 years ago from San Francisco and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Cedar Grove. It's challenging for what you get.
Jobs: The market is reasonable right now, especially in education. If you're in tech you might struggle.
People: Generally decent. It took about 18 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: average. Tons of options if you like Thai.
Definitely worth checking out..
28 upvotes
Victoria Moore
spot on
25 upvotes
Lily Hernandez
yeah no that's not right
23 upvotes
Silas W.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem hit or miss.
I've been here 6 years and it's improved dramatically in recent years. The thing nobody mentions is community vibe. It's established and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the safety is legit. And if you're into photography, this place is tough.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Cedar Grove side vs the Downtown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
No regrets on my end..
17 upvotes
Easton S.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a project manager, 53, moved here 2 years ago from Boston. I've lived in Oak Park and West, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Active local events and festivals
2. Affordable housing options
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Limited shopping options
3. The dating scene situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Oak Park: Great for couples. decent 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 Boston, everything felt average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $40K-$70K here.
**Final verdict:**
Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. 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.
16 upvotes
Serenity C.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want dating scene, then yeah this place is great. But if cultural scene matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
15 upvotes
Logan
Moved here from San Francisco about 5 years ago. it's been a really good experience overall. Still getting used to housing market but Good luck with whatever you decide..
14 upvotes
Olivia Bennett
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is pet-friendliness. I genuinely enjoy living here. Worth doing your research before committing.
11 upvotes
Gabriella James
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem pretty good.
I've been here 13 years and it's not perfect but it works for me. The thing nobody mentions is cultural scene. It's wild and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cultural scene is legit. And if you're into kayaking, this place is tough.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The East side vs the Riverside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
11 upvotes
Shirley N.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in East for 12 years. Moved from Miami for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is surprisingly good. We bought in 2016 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
education 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:**
it's not perfect but it works for me. The outdoor scene is decent - we have ski resorts within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. East schools are decent. 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. Road conditions need improvement. Can feel isolated. And cost of living can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 9/10. Would recommend to anyone considering it.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
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