Hey folks, We have two kids and With a population of 27,550, Wilmette is a smaller city. You can expect to pay around $1,968 for rent here. The median home value here is around $802,200, which is pretty steep. 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. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Would love some local perspective. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The city has invested a lot in new development. The city has invested a lot in new development. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. The city has invested a lot in new development. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The city has invested a lot in new development. The suburbs are where most families end up. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood.
22 upvotes
22 Replies
raleighheart2026
Used to live on the The Heights side, now on the Pine Hills side. Completely different vibe. it was the best decision I ever made.
40 upvotes
Sophia
I've lived in Midtown for about 4 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I love the pace of life here. When I first moved here from Chicago, I was surprised by pet-friendliness. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- The cultural scene scene is excellent
The downsides:
- Can feel isolated
- Homeless population growing downtown
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for singles. Feel free to reach out with questions..
39 upvotes
amelia_mama
I've lived in Midtown for about 11 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. When I first moved here from Atlanta, I was surprised by traffic. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Good schools in most areas
- The safety scene is improving
The downsides:
- Road conditions need improvement
- Can feel isolated
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for young professionals. Definitely worth checking out..
38 upvotes
Landon Phillips
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want job market, then yeah this place is great. But if food scene matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
34 upvotes
Robert R.
hard disagree but ok
33 upvotes
Carter H.
Moved here last year, no regrets.
32 upvotes
roman_living
I'm a real estate agent and I've found I genuinely enjoy living here. The community is improving and there's always something going on.
28 upvotes
Nevaeh
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a HR manager who relocated here from Portland about 9 years ago. The main reasons were weather and weather.
Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Lots of new development happening
- Four distinct seasons
Cons that are real:
- Property taxes are high
- Homeless population growing downtown
Financially, we've found it excellent compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are manageable, gas is decent.
Socially, it's not perfect but it works for me. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
26 upvotes
Jackson Phillips
exactly what I was thinking
23 upvotes
Clara
I work in finance here and it was the best decision I ever made. The job market for my field is challenging. Good luck with whatever you decide..
23 upvotes
Brian A.
I've lived in East for about 7 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 LA, I was surprised by food scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Lots of new development happening
- The walkability scene is better than expected
The downsides:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Not very walkable outside downtown
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for retirees. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
23 upvotes
Violet Gonzalez
I've lived in Old Town for about 15 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
the quality of life is solid. When I first moved here from Dallas, I was surprised by walkability. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good schools in most areas
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- The cost of living scene is challenging
The downsides:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Limited shopping options
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for retirees. Hope this helps!.
22 upvotes
Aurora White
exactly what I was thinking
19 upvotes
Camila King
Bought a house here in 2018 and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Property values have gone about the same since then.
17 upvotes
Jacob Gutierrez
The food scene here is tough. Tons of great craft beer places. it's exactly what I was looking for.
10 upvotes
Victoria Wood
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 1 years ago from New York and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in East. It's tough for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in construction. If you're in construction you might struggle.
People: Generally better than expected. It took about 3 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: average. Tons of options if you like Vietnamese.
Hope this helps!.
9 upvotes
Sophie Castillo
facts
7 upvotes
Samuel P.
I'm a physical therapist and I've found there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The community is excellent and there's always something going on.
2 upvotes
Betty W.
This.
1 upvotes
portlandchef2023
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Cedar Grove for 14 years. Moved from Chicago for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is underrated. We bought in 2023 at k and it's now worth about the same 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:**
tech is strong here. retail is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are manageable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I love the pace of life here. The outdoor scene is decent - we have lakes within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Cedar Grove schools are underrated. 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. Traffic during rush hour is rough. Limited shopping options. And school system can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 8/10. Would recommend to anyone considering it.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
0 upvotes
portlandchef2022
been saying this for years
0 upvotes
chill_jaxon92
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 10 years ago from San Francisco and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Fairview. It's decent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in healthcare. If you're in marketing you might struggle.
People: Generally excellent. It took about 15 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: underrated. Tons of options if you like Asian.
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