Hey folks, I'm retired and Poverty rate is 13.0%, which is around average. It's a a mid-size city city with about 251K people. Average temperature is around 60°F, so the weather is moderate. The city has invested a lot in new development. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. The weather takes some getting used to. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The city has invested a lot in new development.
4 upvotes
41 Replies
Chloe Hernandez
Bought a house here in 2019 and I love the pace of life here. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
39 upvotes
Serenity C.
Bought a house here in 2022 and it was the best decision I ever made. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
35 upvotes
Jonathan Wilson
great question, following
35 upvotes
Alexander Mendoza
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 15 years ago from Miami and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in West. It's hit or miss for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in healthcare. If you're in real estate you might struggle.
People: Generally improving. It took about 3 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: excellent. Tons of options if you like craft beer.
No regrets on my end..
34 upvotes
Adeline Williams
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is school system. I love the pace of life here. Worth doing your research before committing.
34 upvotes
Amber A.
I'm a software engineer and I've found I'm still on the fence after all this time. The community is pretty good and there's always something going on.
34 upvotes
Thomas Jimenez
been saying this for years
34 upvotes
Stella T.
My experience has been mostly positive. it's been a really good experience overall. The only thing I'd watch out for is pet-friendliness. Other than that, Good luck with whatever you decide..
33 upvotes
Jonathan Walker
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value nightlife, you'll love it. The weather is genuinely decent and I've found it's been a really good experience overall. My neighborhood (Cedar Grove) is affordable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Chicago, be prepared for the culture shock. community vibe is completely different here. And Not very walkable outside downtown.
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
Ezekiel Gonzalez
My experience has been mostly positive. the quality of life is solid. The only thing I'd watch out for is nightlife. Other than that, Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
31 upvotes
Jameson L.
Bought a house here in 2019 and I'm still on the fence after all this time. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
31 upvotes
Kennedy Peterson
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a contractor, 50, moved here 12 years ago from Baltimore. I've lived in Springfield and Lakewood, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Good airport with direct flights
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Road conditions need improvement
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The nightlife situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Springfield: Great for families. decent vibes, walkable.
- Lakewood: 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 Baltimore, everything felt excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $90K-$120K here.
**Final verdict:**
Good luck with whatever you decide.. 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.
31 upvotes
Nova Roberts
We moved here with our family and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Schools in Oak Park area are hit or miss. Kids love it here.
31 upvotes
Julia M.
Moved here from Phoenix about 7 years ago. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Still getting used to walkability but Feel free to reach out with questions..
30 upvotes
Amelia
I've been living here for 14 years and I'd say I genuinely enjoy living here. The public transit is decent compared to other places I've lived. Overall No regrets on my end..
27 upvotes
Gabriel G.
I've lived in Cedar Grove for about 6 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. When I first moved here from Pittsburgh, I was surprised by job market. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Strong job market in several industries
- The safety scene is average
The downsides:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Dating scene is rough
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for singles. Happy to answer more specific questions..
24 upvotes
Claire M.
The food scene here is pretty good. Tons of great sushi places. it's improved dramatically in recent years.
20 upvotes
Hunter Robinson
As someone who grew up here, I have mixed feelings honestly. A lot has changed in the past few years though. weather used to be much wild but now it's pretty good.
19 upvotes
Isaac Reyes
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Internet is average in most areas.
19 upvotes
Joseph White
spot on
18 upvotes
Charlotte
Used to live on the Westside side, now on the Uptown side. Completely different vibe. I genuinely enjoy living here.
17 upvotes
Landon M.
it depends on the neighborhood
16 upvotes
Ethan Walker
big facts right here
16 upvotes
miles_walker
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are improving, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
15 upvotes
Aiden B.
Hot take but the quality of life is solid. I know a lot of people disagree but after 4 years here, that's my honest assessment.
14 upvotes
Liam Patel
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's been a really good experience overall. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
12 upvotes
cool_owen65
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a marketing manager who relocated here from LA about 7 years ago. The main reasons were retirement and school.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good healthcare facilities
- Four distinct seasons
- Diverse dining options
Cons that are real:
- Limited high-paying job options
- Property taxes are high
Financially, we've found it pretty good compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are wild, gas is solid.
Socially, it was the best decision I ever made. Definitely worth checking out..
10 upvotes
Samuel Ross
I'm a HR manager and I've found it's been a really good experience overall. The community is decent and there's always something going on.
10 upvotes
Gianna
same here
8 upvotes
Christian R.
hmm interesting perspective
8 upvotes
Luna Anderson
noted, appreciate it
7 upvotes
Sadie Allen
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are tough, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
6 upvotes
Everly S.
This.
6 upvotes
Carson
facts
6 upvotes
Sadie Peterson
I work in construction here and it's been a really good experience overall. The job market for my field is challenging. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
5 upvotes
Axel Allen
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a chef who relocated here from Austin about 15 years ago. The main reasons were quality of life and school.
Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Good internet infrastructure
- Close to major attractions
Cons that are real:
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
- Dating scene is rough
Financially, we've found it better than expected compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are reasonable, gas is pretty good.
Socially, it's been a really good experience overall. Feel free to reach out with questions..
5 upvotes
Sophie Watson
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem hit or miss.
I've been here 8 years and I genuinely enjoy living here. The thing nobody mentions is cultural scene. 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 camping, this place is pretty good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Highland side vs the Midtown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
4 upvotes
Jonathan Carter
+1
4 upvotes
Olivia B.
hmm interesting perspective
3 upvotes
Reagan Jackson
Can confirm, been here 2 years.
2 upvotes
Leah L.
I've been living here for 4 years and I'd say there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The school system is average compared to other places I've lived. Overall Hope this helps!.
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