Been meaning to ask this. Average temperature is around 61--F, so the weather is moderate. The unemployment rate is 1.1%, which is pretty low. The weather takes some getting used to. Any advice would be great.
6 upvotes
15 Replies
Jordan Taylor
Moved here from Atlanta about 5 years ago. it's been a really good experience overall. Still getting used to community vibe but Good luck with whatever you decide..
40 upvotes
Mateo Bailey
literally same
37 upvotes
seattlevibes2020
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a real estate agent, 40, moved here 2 years ago from Chicago. I've lived in Fairview and Westside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Low crime in most neighborhoods
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited shopping options
2. Dating scene is rough
3. The job market situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Fairview: Great for young professionals. surprisingly good 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 Chicago, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $70K-$150K here.
**Final verdict:**
Feel free to reach out with questions.. 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.
30 upvotes
Genesis W.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a physical therapist, 56, moved here 4 years ago from Salt Lake City. I've lived in Riverside and Westside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally solid - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Homeless population growing downtown
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The traffic situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Riverside: Great for families. tough 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 Salt Lake City, everything felt challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $60K-$130K 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.
25 upvotes
Grayson Jones
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem tough.
I've been here 7 years and it's not perfect but it works for me. The thing nobody mentions is cultural scene. It's reasonable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the community vibe is legit. And if you're into fishing, this place is better than expected.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Oak Park side vs the Sunset side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
No regrets on my end..
23 upvotes
Eva Gomez
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem improving.
I've been here 8 years and it was the best decision I ever made. The thing nobody mentions is school system. It's manageable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the pet-friendliness is legit. And if you're into skiing, this place is tough.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Eastside side vs the North side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
17 upvotes
Delilah
good to know, thanks
16 upvotes
Danielle H.
Can confirm, been here 11 years.
15 upvotes
Noah H.
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 2-bedroom. I love the pace of life here. Compared to Pittsburgh it's decent.
13 upvotes
Kaylee G.
Public transit is average here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I'm still on the fence after all this time.
13 upvotes
Christian
As someone who grew up here, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. A lot has changed in the past few years though. public transit used to be much stable but now it's pretty good.
12 upvotes
Elena R.
I'm a writer and I've found there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The community is hit or miss and there's always something going on.
12 upvotes
Camila Harris
accurate
9 upvotes
phoenix_nora
I've lived in Oak Park for about 10 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I'm still on the fence after all this time. When I first moved here from Houston, I was surprised by nightlife. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- The school system scene is challenging
The downsides:
- Limited public transit options
- Can feel isolated
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for remote workers. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
7 upvotes
Jose Patel
I've lived in West for about 12 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I love the pace of life here. When I first moved here from LA, I was surprised by pet-friendliness. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- The cultural scene scene is average
The downsides:
- Limited high-paying job options
- Far from beaches/mountains
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for couples. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
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