Hey everyone, I'm single, late 50s, and You can expect to pay around $1,057 for rent here. It's a a small town city with about 11,635 people. Poverty rate is 7.9%, which is pretty low. Homes are going for about $232,300 on average. The suburbs are where most families end up. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods.
Pros:
- Growing food scene
- Low crime in most areas
- Easy commute
- Lots of new development
Cons:
- Traffic can be terrible
- Hot summers
- Sprawl everywhere
- Boring for young people
Thoughts? Thanks for reading. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. The suburbs are where most families end up. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. I'd say it's better for families than young singles.
0 upvotes
10 Replies
Betty R.
I've lived in Oak Park for about 12 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it exceeded my expectations. When I first moved here from Raleigh, I was surprised by community vibe. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Nice parks and green spaces
- The housing market scene is surprisingly good
The downsides:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Nightlife is limited
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for families. Feel free to reach out with questions..
40 upvotes
Leah N.
this is the way
39 upvotes
Serenity
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 4 years ago from San Diego and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Uptown. It's improving for what you get.
Jobs: The market is manageable right now, especially in retail. If you're in finance you might struggle.
People: Generally decent. It took about 3 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: solid. Tons of options if you like Thai.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
35 upvotes
seattle_xavier
following this thread
33 upvotes
Levi Roberts
exactly what I was thinking
31 upvotes
tamparider2020
interesting, hadn't considered that
29 upvotes
Owen Reed
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value cost of living, you'll love it. The outdoor recreation is genuinely underrated and I've found it's been a really good experience overall. My neighborhood (South) is competitive and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Phoenix, be prepared for the culture shock. public transit is completely different here. And Limited public transit 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.
29 upvotes
Levi Hall
We moved here with our family and the quality of life is solid. Schools in Highland area are surprisingly good. Kids love it here.
27 upvotes
Maya J.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a physical therapist who relocated here from Minneapolis about 9 years ago. The main reasons were weather and quality of life.
Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Affordable housing options
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Limited entertainment options
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Financially, we've found it surprisingly good compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are established, gas is surprisingly good.
Socially, it exceeded my expectations. Happy to answer more specific questions..
10 upvotes
Peyton Ramos
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 4 years ago from New York and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in North. It's tough for what you get.
Jobs: The market is manageable right now, especially in consulting. If you're in consulting you might struggle.
People: Generally improving. It took about 17 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: average. Tons of options if you like Thai.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
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