Longtime lurker here, We're a young couple and The median home value here is around $167,200, which is actually reasonable. Average temperature is around 69--F, so the weather is moderate. Property taxes are high but you get good services. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Thanks in advance! Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. It's not perfect, but the community is solid.
8 upvotes
12 Replies
Naomi James
Moved here from Boston about 15 years ago. it's been a really good experience overall. Still getting used to housing market but Happy to answer more specific questions..
39 upvotes
Christine L.
We moved here with our family and it was the best decision I ever made. Schools in Lakewood area are excellent. Kids love it here.
38 upvotes
mesalocal2020
spot on
36 upvotes
Riley Alvarez
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are improving, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
36 upvotes
Scarlett Cooper
facts
29 upvotes
Diana M.
Used to live on the Midtown side, now on the Oak Park side. Completely different vibe. the quality of life is solid.
29 upvotes
Aaliyah Morales
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 11 years ago from Tampa and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Pine Hills. It's surprisingly good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in healthcare. If you're in healthcare you might struggle.
People: Generally average. It took about 7 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: improving. Tons of options if you like Southern.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
22 upvotes
Natalie Bailey
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 14 years ago from Denver and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Oak Park. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in engineering. If you're in engineering you might struggle.
People: Generally improving. It took about 16 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: decent. Tons of options if you like Italian.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
19 upvotes
mia_dude
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value pet-friendliness, you'll love it. The weather is genuinely challenging and I've found it's been a really good experience overall. My neighborhood (Highland) is wild and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Chicago, be prepared for the culture shock. traffic is completely different here. And Chain restaurants dominate.
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.
16 upvotes
Ezekiel Taylor
Moved here from Denver about 1 years ago. it's exactly what I was looking for. Still getting used to nightlife but Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
15 upvotes
Jose Rogers
hard disagree but ok
10 upvotes
Robert
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is safety. it's improved dramatically in recent years. Worth doing your research before committing.
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