Anyone else feel this way? I'm a 35-year-old software engineer and The median home value here is around $223,000, which is actually reasonable. Household incomes average around $59,485 in Albany. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. What neighborhoods would you suggest?
18 upvotes
15 Replies
Isabelle
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value housing market, you'll love it. The healthcare is genuinely surprisingly good and I've found it's not perfect but it works for me. My neighborhood (North) is reasonable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Salt Lake City, be prepared for the culture shock. outdoor recreation is completely different here. And Limited shopping options.
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.
40 upvotes
Ava Moore
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a social worker, 57, moved here 13 years ago from Phoenix. I've lived in Fairview and North, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally average - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Limited high-paying job options
3. The public transit situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Fairview: Great for families. pretty good vibes, walkable.
- North: 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 Phoenix, everything felt better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $50K-$130K 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.
39 upvotes
Andrew Price
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are better than expected, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
38 upvotes
Declan Evans
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a electrician who relocated here from Baltimore about 14 years ago. The main reasons were cost of living and quality of life.
Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Good healthcare facilities
- Close to major attractions
Cons that are real:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Can feel isolated
Financially, we've found it improving compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are manageable, gas is better than expected.
Socially, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Good luck with whatever you decide..
36 upvotes
Ariana Price
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 14 years ago from Atlanta and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Greenfield. It's better than expected for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in healthcare. If you're in construction you might struggle.
People: Generally surprisingly good. It took about 8 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: challenging. Tons of options if you like Asian.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
33 upvotes
Aaliyah Myers
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Oak Park for 6 years. Moved from Atlanta for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is average. We bought in 2018 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. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
engineering is strong here. real estate is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are wild for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it exceeded my expectations. The outdoor scene is better than expected - 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. Oak Park schools are solid. 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. Not very walkable outside downtown. Limited high-paying job options. And traffic can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 8/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
28 upvotes
Scarlett Edwards
Hot take but I'm still on the fence after all this time. I know a lot of people disagree but after 12 years here, that's my honest assessment.
21 upvotes
Reagan
As someone who grew up here, it was the best decision I ever made. A lot has changed in the past few years though. food scene used to be much established but now it's solid.
17 upvotes
Melanie P.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want cultural scene, then yeah this place is great. But if dating scene matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
12 upvotes
Henry Murphy
hard disagree but ok
10 upvotes
Hazel Torres
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 1-bedroom. I love the pace of life here. Compared to Raleigh it's excellent.
8 upvotes
Katherine
this is the way
6 upvotes
Zoey Roberts
As someone who grew up here, I love the pace of life here. A lot has changed in the past few years though. dating scene used to be much manageable but now it's tough.
3 upvotes
Peyton James
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a sales manager who relocated here from Baltimore about 12 years ago. The main reasons were family and retirement.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Strong sense of community
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Winters are long and cold
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
Financially, we've found it decent compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are pricey, gas is decent.
Socially, it's been a really good experience overall. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
3 upvotes
Elizabeth W.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I have mixed feelings honestly. Internet is decent in most areas.
All Countries
