Hello, My partner and I are It's a a small town city with about 19,478 people. Homes are going for about $247,800 on average. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Would love some local perspective. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The weather takes some getting used to. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The weather takes some getting used to. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level.
3 upvotes
6 Replies
Peyton
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 3 years. Moved from Minneapolis for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is pretty good. We bought in 2015 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
real estate is strong here. tech is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are manageable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's exactly what I was looking for. The outdoor scene is average - 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 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. Limited high-paying job options. Far from beaches/mountains. And school system can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, 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.
37 upvotes
Ezekiel Turner
it depends on the neighborhood
33 upvotes
delilah_native
bump
32 upvotes
Kai
same here
16 upvotes
Katherine
it depends on the neighborhood
16 upvotes
cool_leonardo90
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 2-bedroom. it was the best decision I ever made. Compared to Nashville it's pretty good.
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