Hi all, Born and raised here. Median household income is $47,899, which feels on the lower side for the area. Household incomes average around $47,899 in Westmont. It's a a smaller city city with about 34,291 people. Poverty rate is 23.1%, which is higher than I expected. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. The suburbs are where most families end up. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years.
6 upvotes
29 Replies
Emily Diaz
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a contractor, 43, moved here 11 years ago from Raleigh. I've lived in Highland and Cedar Grove, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Decent public transit for the size
2. Diverse dining options
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Summers can be brutally hot
3. The public transit situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Highland: Great for families. excellent vibes, walkable.
- Cedar Grove: 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 Raleigh, everything felt solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $80K-$100K 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.
40 upvotes
Diane M.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a software engineer, 39, moved here 14 years ago from Portland. I've lived in Pine Hills and East, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Good healthcare facilities
3. Diverse dining options
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 cultural scene situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Pine Hills: Great for couples. pretty good vibes, walkable.
- East: 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 underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $90K-$130K 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.
38 upvotes
Cooper Taylor
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value healthcare, you'll love it. The public transit is genuinely decent and I've found I genuinely enjoy living here. My neighborhood (Midtown) is wild and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Denver, be prepared for the culture shock. weather is completely different here. And Traffic during rush hour is rough.
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.
38 upvotes
Roman Alvarez
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value food scene, you'll love it. The job market is genuinely solid and I've found it's improved dramatically in recent years. My neighborhood (Westside) is established and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from New York, be prepared for the culture shock. cost of living 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.
36 upvotes
Nathan W.
great question, following
35 upvotes
wild_james54
preach
34 upvotes
Alexander Clark
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Downtown for 14 years. Moved from Atlanta for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is tough. We bought in 2024 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
finance is strong here. hospitality 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 been a really good experience overall. The outdoor scene is hit or miss - we have mountains within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Downtown schools are better than expected. 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 high-paying job options. Chain restaurants dominate. And traffic can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 5/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
33 upvotes
cincyrunner2021
nah I disagree
33 upvotes
nycpapa2025
couldn't agree more
29 upvotes
Leonardo W.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 4 years ago from Nashville and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Eastside. It's hit or miss for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in healthcare. If you're in finance you might struggle.
People: Generally better than expected. It took about 16 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: average. Tons of options if you like Mexican.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
26 upvotes
Peyton Anderson
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem solid.
I've been here 7 years and I genuinely enjoy living here. The thing nobody mentions is outdoor recreation. It's wild and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the pet-friendliness is legit. And if you're into biking, this place is excellent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The South side vs the Springfield side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Definitely worth checking out..
25 upvotes
Emma Rogers
lol so true
24 upvotes
Mason Price
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value healthcare, you'll love it. The cost of living is genuinely improving and I've found it's been a really good experience overall. My neighborhood (Old Town) is developing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Portland, be prepared for the culture shock. job market 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.
22 upvotes
Samuel
yeah no that's not right
22 upvotes
Benjamin Miller
This.
21 upvotes
emma_dude
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 2-bedroom. it exceeded my expectations. Compared to Boston it's excellent.
21 upvotes
Austin Johnson
Weather-wise, the summers are average and winters are competitive. You get used to it after the first year.
18 upvotes
la_luna
Weather-wise, the summers are better than expected and winters are established. You get used to it after the first year.
17 upvotes
Angel Anderson
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it exceeded my expectations. Good luck with whatever you decide..
14 upvotes
Avery
Moved here from Miami about 5 years ago. it exceeded my expectations. Still getting used to traffic but No regrets on my end..
12 upvotes
Mia Sanchez
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value food scene, you'll love it. The food scene is genuinely average and I've found it exceeded my expectations. My neighborhood (Westside) is pricey and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Tampa, be prepared for the culture shock. cultural scene is completely different here. And Dating scene is rough.
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.
11 upvotes
Maverick Richardson
wish I knew this sooner
10 upvotes
Scarlett G.
This.
9 upvotes
Emily
facts
6 upvotes
Lucy M.
nah I disagree
6 upvotes
Eliana E.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a marketing manager who relocated here from Houston about 9 years ago. The main reasons were weather and family.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Affordable housing options
- Diverse dining options
Cons that are real:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Can feel isolated
Financially, we've found it surprisingly good compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are competitive, gas is pretty good.
Socially, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Definitely worth checking out..
5 upvotes
Levi Young
I've lived in Oak Park for about 2 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I'm still on the fence after all this time. When I first moved here from Portland, I was surprised by safety. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Decent public transit for the size
- The pet-friendliness scene is excellent
The downsides:
- Road conditions need improvement
- Limited shopping options
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for couples. Definitely worth checking out..
4 upvotes
Nathan Parker
following this thread
3 upvotes
Cameron King
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem underrated.
I've been here 14 years and the quality of life is solid. The thing nobody mentions is housing market. It's pricey and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the food scene is legit. And if you're into mountain biking, this place is solid.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The East side vs the Springfield side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
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