Curious what people think. I've been here for 7 years and Average temperature is around 53--F, so expect cold winters. Median household income is $132,232, which feels pretty solid for the area. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Am I wrong here? Property taxes are high but you get good services. The weather takes some getting used to. I'd say it's better for families than young singles.
25 upvotes
18 Replies
Lillian Wright
Weather-wise, the summers are pretty good and winters are competitive. You get used to it after the first year.
40 upvotes
Caroline Scott
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a nurse who relocated here from Minneapolis about 12 years ago. The main reasons were a fresh start and quality of life.
Pros I've experienced:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Decent public transit for the size
- Four distinct seasons
Cons that are real:
- Limited public transit options
- Road conditions need improvement
Financially, we've found it solid compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are developing, gas is excellent.
Socially, I have mixed feelings honestly. Definitely worth checking out..
33 upvotes
Jonathan Gray
hmm interesting perspective
31 upvotes
Jordan Scott
I work in education here and it was the best decision I ever made. The job market for my field is average. Hope this helps!.
30 upvotes
Miles Castillo
The food scene here is pretty good. Tons of great craft beer places. it exceeded my expectations.
30 upvotes
Alexis N.
I'm a nurse and I've found I genuinely enjoy living here. The community is hit or miss and there's always something going on.
29 upvotes
Mackenzie Ortiz
Moved here from Seattle about 7 years ago. it's exactly what I was looking for. Still getting used to nightlife but Happy to answer more specific questions..
26 upvotes
philly_elena
Totally agree!
23 upvotes
Leonardo Alvarez
Used to live on the Sunset side, now on the Old Town side. Completely different vibe. it's not perfect but it works for me.
23 upvotes
Kai
The food scene here is challenging. Tons of great seafood places. it's not perfect but it works for me.
18 upvotes
Abigail Green
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Midtown for 4 years. Moved from Seattle for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is surprisingly good. We bought in 2020 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
tech is strong here. finance is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are manageable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it exceeded my expectations. The outdoor scene is improving - we have lakes within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Midtown schools are tough. 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. Dating scene is rough. And healthcare can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 9/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
14 upvotes
miami_jayden
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 1-bedroom. the quality of life is solid. Compared to Phoenix it's underrated.
13 upvotes
Jacob R.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 2 years ago from Dallas and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in East. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in engineering. If you're in real estate you might struggle.
People: Generally tough. It took about 15 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: better than expected. Tons of options if you like BBQ.
Hope this helps!.
12 upvotes
Michael R.
yeah no that's not right
11 upvotes
Audrey Cooper
Public transit is surprisingly good here. You'll probably need a car for most things. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
11 upvotes
Silas Nguyen
Can confirm, been here 15 years.
5 upvotes
Zoey Ramos
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem underrated.
I've been here 13 years and it's improved dramatically in recent years. The thing nobody mentions is traffic. It's developing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the food scene is legit. And if you're into running, this place is better than expected.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Highland side vs the Old Town side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
5 upvotes
Logan Diaz
I've lived in Oak Park for about 3 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 Seattle, I was surprised by housing market. 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 nightlife scene is excellent
The downsides:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Limited shopping options
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for families. No regrets on my end..
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