First post here. I'm a college student here and Household incomes average around $90,109 in Aurora. The unemployment rate is 4.3%, which is about average. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Anyone in a similar situation? Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Property taxes are high but you get good services.
59 upvotes
15 Replies
Jackson H.
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 2 years. Moved from Baltimore for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is improving. We bought in 2020 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. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
finance is strong here. finance 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:**
it was the best decision I ever made. The outdoor scene is tough - we have hiking trails 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. Chain restaurants dominate. Homeless population growing downtown. And traffic can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 9/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
40 upvotes
Hazel
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in North for 7 years. Moved from Phoenix for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is hit or miss. We bought in 2022 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
manufacturing is strong here. legal 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:**
it's been a really good experience overall. The outdoor scene is better than expected - 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. North schools are underrated. 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. Traffic during rush hour is rough. Can feel isolated. And traffic can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 5/10. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
36 upvotes
Landon Edwards
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 5 years ago from Chicago and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Uptown. It's pretty good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in manufacturing. If you're in government you might struggle.
People: Generally decent. It took about 16 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: average. Tons of options if you like craft beer.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
34 upvotes
Paisley Castillo
100%
32 upvotes
Levi Sanders
underrated comment
31 upvotes
Ruby L.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's improved dramatically in recent years. Internet is excellent in most areas.
31 upvotes
Leonardo Wilson
underrated comment
31 upvotes
Stella Scott
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value housing market, you'll love it. The nightlife is genuinely excellent and I've found I have mixed feelings honestly. My neighborhood (The Heights) is competitive and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Raleigh, be prepared for the culture shock. pet-friendliness is completely different here. And Traffic during rush hour is rough.
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.
18 upvotes
Lydia Miller
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 2 years ago from Salt Lake City 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 West. It's better than expected for what you get.
Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in engineering. If you're in healthcare you might struggle.
People: Generally pretty good. It took about 4 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like Asian.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
17 upvotes
Reagan M.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a writer, 37, moved here 6 years ago from Boston. I've lived in Uptown and Westside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Close to major attractions
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Urban sprawl is real
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The pet-friendliness situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Uptown: Great for couples. underrated vibes, walkable.
- Westside: 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 Boston, everything felt excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $50K-$100K here.
**Final verdict:**
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. 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.
14 upvotes
Autumn Parker
Public transit is underrated here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I love the pace of life here.
14 upvotes
Violet Gomez
big facts right here
6 upvotes
Cora
glad someone said it
3 upvotes
Autumn Parker
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are challenging, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
2 upvotes
Savannah Robinson
Used to live on the South side, now on the Uptown side. Completely different vibe. it's not perfect but it works for me.
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