Curious what people think. Born and raised here. Poverty rate is 8.3%, which is pretty low. Average temperature is around 65--F, so the weather is moderate. The city has invested a lot in new development. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood.
4 upvotes
10 Replies
Bennett K.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem pretty good.
I've been here 11 years and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The thing nobody mentions is nightlife. It's growing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cost of living is legit. And if you're into rock climbing, this place is excellent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Uptown side vs the The Heights side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
37 upvotes
Zoey
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 12 years ago from San Francisco and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Oak Park. It's surprisingly good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in healthcare. If you're in finance you might struggle.
People: Generally solid. It took about 13 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: surprisingly good. Tons of options if you like Indian.
No regrets on my end..
34 upvotes
Madeline Watson
As someone who grew up here, I'm still on the fence after all this time. A lot has changed in the past few years though. school system used to be much wild but now it's surprisingly good.
25 upvotes
Avery W.
I've been living here for 12 years and I'd say it's exactly what I was looking for. The cultural scene is decent compared to other places I've lived. Overall Feel free to reach out with questions..
20 upvotes
Parker Patel
The food scene here is decent. Tons of great Mediterranean places. it's been a really good experience overall.
18 upvotes
Christine C.
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
18 upvotes
Matthew
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a project manager who relocated here from Nashville about 11 years ago. The main reasons were a fresh start and school.
Pros I've experienced:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Four distinct seasons
- Close to major attractions
Cons that are real:
- Can feel isolated
- Limited shopping options
Financially, we've found it better than expected compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are wild, gas is decent.
Socially, it's exactly what I was looking for. Feel free to reach out with questions..
11 upvotes
Avery Adams
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 Nashville for family. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is average. We bought in 2015 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. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
construction is strong here. marketing 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:**
the quality of life is solid. The outdoor scene is hit or miss - 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 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. Can feel isolated. Far from beaches/mountains. And school system can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 5/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
5 upvotes
Theodore
As someone who grew up here, I love the pace of life here. A lot has changed in the past few years though. walkability used to be much stable but now it's underrated.
2 upvotes
Paisley Ramos
My experience has been mostly positive. I genuinely enjoy living here. The only thing I'd watch out for is outdoor recreation. Other than that, Would recommend to anyone considering it..
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