Not sure if this has been asked before, but Crime rate is something to consider -Barrington sits at 45.3 per 100K. The city has invested a lot in new development. What are your go-to spots?
14 upvotes
5 Replies
Serenity Young
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem underrated.
I've been here 2 years and it's not perfect but it works for me. The thing nobody mentions is food scene. It's pricey and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the walkability is legit. And if you're into mountain biking, this place is underrated.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Oak Park side vs the Highland side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
33 upvotes
Charlotte
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in West for 14 years. Moved from Houston for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is underrated. We bought in 2021 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
healthcare is strong here. legal is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are stable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
the quality of life is solid. The outdoor scene is hit or miss - we have biking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. West schools are average. 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. Chain restaurants dominate. And dating scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 7/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
19 upvotes
Luna J.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 13 years ago from Atlanta and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Uptown. It's solid for what you get.
Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in manufacturing. If you're in government you might struggle.
People: Generally underrated. It took about 5 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: average. Tons of options if you like seafood.
Hope this helps!.
5 upvotes
Matthew Ramos
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is cost of living. it's improved dramatically in recent years. Worth doing your research before committing.
4 upvotes
Xavier
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 8 years ago from Tampa and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Pine Hills. It's pretty good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in finance. If you're in healthcare you might struggle.
People: Generally decent. It took about 8 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: tough. Tons of options if you like Mediterranean.
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