Hi all, My partner and I are Poverty rate is 10.4%, which is around average. The suburbs are where most families end up. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Worth the trade-offs? The city has invested a lot in new development. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood.
0 upvotes
12 Replies
Waylon Chavez
facts
33 upvotes
Eleanor Anderson
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want weather, then yeah this place is great. But if outdoor recreation matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
32 upvotes
Michael Cruz
I work in healthcare here and it's been a really good experience overall. The job market for my field is excellent. Happy to answer more specific questions..
29 upvotes
Ian Peterson
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a HR manager, 41, moved here 10 years ago from San Francisco. I've lived in Downtown and Oak Park, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Decent public transit for the size
2. Four distinct seasons
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Property taxes are high
2. Dating scene is rough
3. The traffic situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Downtown: Great for young professionals. challenging vibes, walkable.
- Oak Park: 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 San Francisco, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $100K-$140K here.
**Final verdict:**
It's not for everyone but it works for us.. 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.
25 upvotes
Gabriel King
haha yep pretty much
23 upvotes
David Wilson
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want public transit, then yeah this place is great. But if outdoor recreation matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
22 upvotes
Madelyn Morales
Hot take but it exceeded my expectations. I know a lot of people disagree but after 11 years here, that's my honest assessment.
16 upvotes
Eliana M.
underrated comment
12 upvotes
Andrew Martin
this is the way
10 upvotes
Bennett Flores
facts
6 upvotes
Skylar Long
literally same
5 upvotes
Leah
I work in education here and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The job market for my field is better than expected. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
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