Hey, I'm originally from New York and Homes are going for about $276,400 on average. Rent is about $1,389/month for a decent place. The weather takes some getting used to. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. What neighborhoods would you suggest? Thanks for reading.
4 upvotes
9 Replies
Jose
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 3 years ago from Austin and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Downtown. It's underrated for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in manufacturing. If you're in manufacturing you might struggle.
People: Generally excellent. It took about 9 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: surprisingly good. Tons of options if you like craft beer.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
35 upvotes
Autumn C.
Public transit is solid here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's been a really good experience overall.
23 upvotes
Nicole R.
same here
20 upvotes
Everly Walker
Moved here from New York about 3 years ago. I love the pace of life here. Still getting used to job market but Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
18 upvotes
Adrian Rogers
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem improving.
I've been here 2 years and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The thing nobody mentions is healthcare. It's affordable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the healthcare is legit. And if you're into skiing, this place is surprisingly good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Westside side vs the West side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
17 upvotes
Riley Williams
yep
10 upvotes
Eleanor Clark
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 7 years. Moved from Denver for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is underrated. We bought in 2022 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
engineering is strong here. government is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are established for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I love the pace of life here. The outdoor scene is pretty good - 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 tough. 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. Urban sprawl is real. Limited high-paying job options. And cost of living can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 7/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
9 upvotes
Jameson M.
this is the way
8 upvotes
Peyton Campbell
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are decent, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
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