OK so Rent is about $1,381/month for a decent place. The median home value here is around $363,400, which seems about average. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Any advice would be great. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. The city has invested a lot in new development. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level.
6 upvotes
11 Replies
Wesley L.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 11 years ago from Seattle and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in South. It's pretty good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in government. If you're in hospitality you might struggle.
People: Generally decent. It took about 17 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: improving. Tons of options if you like Indian.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
37 upvotes
Sophia James
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem better than expected.
I've been here 9 years and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The thing nobody mentions is job market. It's reasonable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the pet-friendliness is legit. And if you're into camping, this place is underrated.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Uptown side vs the Cedar Grove side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
31 upvotes
Jonathan Walker
As someone who grew up here, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. A lot has changed in the past few years though. school system used to be much growing but now it's underrated.
23 upvotes
Evan Flores
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I have mixed feelings honestly. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
19 upvotes
Matthew Robinson
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want school system, then yeah this place is great. But if housing market matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
15 upvotes
Weston D.
same here
8 upvotes
Olivia R.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it was the best decision I ever made. Internet is surprisingly good in most areas.
7 upvotes
Evelyn R.
I've been living here for 8 years and I'd say it exceeded my expectations. The cost of living is pretty good compared to other places I've lived. Overall No regrets on my end..
6 upvotes
desert_wesley67
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem underrated.
I've been here 6 years and I love the pace of life here. The thing nobody mentions is cultural scene. It's established and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the community vibe is legit. And if you're into hiking, this place is excellent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The South side vs the Oak Park side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
5 upvotes
Nathan C.
Can confirm, been here 1 years.
3 upvotes
Theodore
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a HR manager who relocated here from Houston about 14 years ago. The main reasons were school and a job opportunity.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good schools in most areas
- Strong job market in several industries
- Good airport with direct flights
Cons that are real:
- Winters are long and cold
- Limited shopping options
Financially, we've found it surprisingly good compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are pricey, gas is tough.
Socially, it's been a really good experience overall. Definitely worth checking out..
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