So, I'm single, late 40s, and Median household income is $65,926, which feels about average for the area. Average temperature is around 62--F, so the weather is moderate. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. What would you do? Night life is decent if you know the right spots.
9 upvotes
28 Replies
Carson Castillo
This.
40 upvotes
Elizabeth Brown
Public transit is pretty good here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I'm still on the fence after all this time.
39 upvotes
Natalie H.
big facts right here
36 upvotes
Valentina Lee
seconding this
33 upvotes
Ethan W.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in South for 15 years. Moved from Tampa for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is tough. We bought in 2015 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
retail is strong here. consulting is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are growing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I'm still on the fence after all this time. The outdoor scene is underrated - we have beaches within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. South schools are better than expected. 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 a lot of cultural diversity. Bugs and humidity in summer. And nightlife can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 8/10. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
26 upvotes
Grace Bailey
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a accountant, 51, moved here 6 years ago from Atlanta. I've lived in Midtown and Eastside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Decent public transit for the size
2. Diverse dining options
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Rising rent and home prices
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The public transit situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Midtown: Great for families. better than expected vibes, walkable.
- Eastside: 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 challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $50K-$120K here.
**Final verdict:**
Definitely worth checking out.. 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.
26 upvotes
Henry J.
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is community vibe. it exceeded my expectations. Worth doing your research before committing.
23 upvotes
Albert H.
Weather-wise, the summers are pretty good and winters are established. You get used to it after the first year.
23 upvotes
Clara Edwards
I've lived in Highland for about 8 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's improved dramatically in recent years. When I first moved here from Salt Lake City, I was surprised by pet-friendliness. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- The job market scene is pretty good
The downsides:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Dating scene is rough
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for retirees. Feel free to reach out with questions..
21 upvotes
Stella
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want nightlife, then yeah this place is great. But if pet-friendliness matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
21 upvotes
Daniel James
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 11 years ago from LA and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Springfield. It's hit or miss for what you get.
Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in healthcare. If you're in tech you might struggle.
People: Generally improving. It took about 14 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: improving. Tons of options if you like BBQ.
Hope this helps!.
20 upvotes
Anthony K.
Hot take but there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. I know a lot of people disagree but after 3 years here, that's my honest assessment.
20 upvotes
Grace Evans
This.
20 upvotes
Madeline W.
Totally agree!
19 upvotes
eleanor_local
The food scene here is underrated. Tons of great Italian places. it's exactly what I was looking for.
18 upvotes
colton_soul
honestly same experience here
18 upvotes
Isaiah R.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem solid.
I've been here 15 years and I love the pace of life here. The thing nobody mentions is weather. It's manageable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the walkability is legit. And if you're into kayaking, this place is challenging.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Downtown side vs the The Heights side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
18 upvotes
Piper Robinson
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 12 years. Moved from Minneapolis for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is hit or miss. We bought in 2019 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
engineering is strong here. hospitality is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are growing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The outdoor scene is solid - we have rivers 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 surprisingly good. 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. Rising rent and home prices. Chain restaurants dominate. And walkability can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 5/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
17 upvotes
James Ortiz
Moved here from Portland about 12 years ago. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Still getting used to school system but Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
15 upvotes
Eleanor Flores
Public transit is challenging here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's exactly what I was looking for.
14 upvotes
Declan Brown
preach
13 upvotes
Roman Foster
yeah no that's not right
11 upvotes
Chloe K.
Saving this thread
11 upvotes
Nora
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in North for 4 years. Moved from Nashville for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is excellent. We bought in 2024 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
retail is strong here. healthcare is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are pricey for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The outdoor scene is pretty good - we have beaches within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. North schools are decent. 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. Road conditions need improvement. And housing market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 9/10. Definitely worth checking out.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
7 upvotes
Zoey Kelly
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, the quality of life is solid. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
6 upvotes
Austin Mendoza
My experience has been mostly positive. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The only thing I'd watch out for is healthcare. Other than that, It's not for everyone but it works for us..
4 upvotes
Alice Sanders
not my experience at all
1 upvotes
Bella Gonzalez
Weather-wise, the summers are hit or miss and winters are wild. You get used to it after the first year.
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