Anyone else feel this way? I'm a 48-year-old teacher and With a population of 27,550, Wilmette is a smaller city. Homes are going for about $802,200 on average. Rent is about $1,968/month for a decent place. Median household income is $192,300, which feels pretty solid for the area. The city has invested a lot in new development. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. What neighborhoods would you suggest? I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse.
19 upvotes
15 Replies
Kyle W.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a project manager, 37, moved here 7 years ago from Tampa. I've lived in Downtown and Greenfield, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Lots of new development happening
3. Four distinct seasons
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Dating scene is rough
3. The outdoor recreation situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Downtown: Great for couples. underrated 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 Tampa, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $70K-$70K 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.
40 upvotes
Violet T.
My experience has been mostly positive. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The only thing I'd watch out for is school system. Other than that, Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
39 upvotes
Colton Peterson
I work in engineering here and it's improved dramatically in recent years. The job market for my field is challenging. Feel free to reach out with questions..
35 upvotes
Austin Lewis
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value nightlife, you'll love it. The outdoor recreation is genuinely solid and I've found I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. My neighborhood (Downtown) is established and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Nashville, be prepared for the culture shock. pet-friendliness 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.
33 upvotes
Aubrey
Came here for weather and stayed because I have mixed feelings honestly. The weather is honestly pretty good and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
28 upvotes
Greyson
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 6 years ago from Baltimore 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 Midtown. It's better than expected for what you get.
Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in retail. If you're in government you might struggle.
People: Generally average. It took about 16 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: challenging. Tons of options if you like BBQ.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
26 upvotes
Dylan Bailey
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem challenging.
I've been here 7 years and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The thing nobody mentions is pet-friendliness. It's affordable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cost of living is legit. And if you're into surfing, this place is excellent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Midtown side vs the Lakewood side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
24 upvotes
Adrian Wright
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I have mixed feelings honestly. Internet is excellent in most areas.
18 upvotes
Quinn Rogers
hmm interesting perspective
17 upvotes
Ruth S.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a real estate agent, 34, moved here 5 years ago from Nashville. I've lived in Maple Ridge and Westside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Growing food and restaurant scene
3. Good airport with direct flights
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. Limited shopping options
3. The outdoor recreation situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Maple Ridge: Great for retirees. excellent vibes, walkable.
- Westside: 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 challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $90K-$80K 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
Joe R.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem excellent.
I've been here 5 years and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The thing nobody mentions is walkability. It's pricey and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the walkability is legit. And if you're into photography, this place is solid.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Eastside side vs the Highland side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
11 upvotes
Nicole R.
I work in retail here and the quality of life is solid. The job market for my field is tough. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
8 upvotes
orlando_riley
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem surprisingly good.
I've been here 12 years and I genuinely enjoy living here. The thing nobody mentions is weather. It's reasonable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the outdoor recreation is legit. And if you're into skiing, this place is average.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Westside side vs the Riverside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
6 upvotes
Isaiah B.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Downtown for 7 years. Moved from Atlanta for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is average. We bought in 2022 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:**
legal is strong here. legal 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:**
I love the pace of life here. The outdoor scene is surprisingly good - 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. Downtown schools are surprisingly good. 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. Not very walkable outside downtown. Property taxes are high. And weather can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 7/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
1 upvotes
Debra W.
I've lived in South for about 6 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 Seattle, I was surprised by traffic. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Good internet infrastructure
- The school system scene is tough
The downsides:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Homeless population growing downtown
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for families. Definitely worth checking out..
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