Hey, My family moved here when I was a kid. Rent is about $930/month for a decent place. Crime rate is something to consider — Akron sits at 900.5 per 100K. The unemployment rate is 5.1%, which is about average. It's a a mid-size city city with about 190K people. Poverty rate is 17.6%, which is higher than I expected. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. What are your go-to spots? Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The city has invested a lot in new development. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. The suburbs are where most families end up. It's changing fast — some good, some not so much. The suburbs are where most families end up. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. The suburbs are where most families end up. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level.
33 upvotes
17 Replies
ruby_chef
The food scene here is excellent. Tons of great Korean places. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
32 upvotes
Kaylee Castillo
big facts right here
32 upvotes
Easton
big facts right here
31 upvotes
Weston Sanders
honestly same experience here
31 upvotes
Jordan Lopez
not my experience at all
30 upvotes
Lydia J.
I've been living here for 3 years and I'd say I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The food scene is pretty good compared to other places I've lived. Overall Good luck with whatever you decide..
26 upvotes
Serenity Hughes
yep
25 upvotes
Eliana R.
nah I disagree
24 upvotes
Cora Moore
thanks for sharing
24 upvotes
Weston Robinson
Moved here from Houston about 6 years ago. it's exactly what I was looking for. Still getting used to traffic but No regrets on my end..
23 upvotes
Kinsley M.
great question, following
19 upvotes
Aubrey Sanchez
I've lived in Oak Park for about 3 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it exceeded my expectations. When I first moved here from Denver, I was surprised by weather. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- The cost of living scene is hit or miss
The downsides:
- Nightlife is limited
- Urban sprawl is real
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for remote workers. Happy to answer more specific questions..
13 upvotes
Gabriel
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a real estate agent, 48, moved here 11 years ago from San Francisco. I've lived in Downtown and Springfield, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Decent public transit for the size
2. Good airport with direct flights
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally hit or miss - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Limited public transit options
3. The housing market situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Downtown: Great for retirees. solid vibes, walkable.
- Springfield: 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 decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $50K-$130K here.
**Final verdict:**
Hope this helps!. 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.
13 upvotes
Easton Long
My experience has been mostly positive. I genuinely enjoy living here. The only thing I'd watch out for is outdoor recreation. Other than that, Happy to answer more specific questions..
9 upvotes
Evelyn Green
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a software engineer who relocated here from Seattle about 6 years ago. The main reasons were cost of living and a fresh start.
Pros I've experienced:
- Lots of new development happening
- Four distinct seasons
- Diverse dining options
Cons that are real:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Not very walkable outside downtown
Financially, we've found it challenging compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are growing, gas is improving.
Socially, I love the pace of life here. Hope this helps!.
7 upvotes
Anna W.
Bought a house here in 2015 and it's not perfect but it works for me. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
5 upvotes
Sadie R.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a accountant, 54, moved here 4 years ago from Atlanta. I've lived in Downtown and Sunset, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Lots of new development happening
2. Close to major attractions
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Can feel isolated
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The cultural scene situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Downtown: Great for young professionals. better than expected vibes, walkable.
- Sunset: 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 Atlanta, everything felt excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $50K-$100K 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.
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