Random thought, Born and raised here. Homes are going for about $1,233,100 on average. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years.
4 upvotes
19 Replies
Zoey Lopez
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value walkability, you'll love it. The weather is genuinely challenging and I've found it exceeded my expectations. My neighborhood (Springfield) is manageable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Raleigh, be prepared for the culture shock. community vibe is completely different here. And Limited high-paying job options.
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.
39 upvotes
Wyatt Ruiz
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a social worker who relocated here from Portland about 13 years ago. The main reasons were quality of life and my partner's job.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Affordable housing options
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Can feel isolated
- Bugs and humidity in summer
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 pricey, gas is average.
Socially, it exceeded my expectations. Definitely worth checking out..
38 upvotes
Grace Collins
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a chef, 28, moved here 6 years ago from Baltimore. I've lived in Midtown and Westside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Friendly community, easy to meet people
3. Low crime in most neighborhoods
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Rising rent and home prices
2. Chain restaurants dominate
3. The cultural scene situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Midtown: Great for young professionals. improving 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 Baltimore, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $90K-$150K here.
**Final verdict:**
It's not for everyone but it works for us.. 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.
37 upvotes
cool_maya82
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I have mixed feelings honestly. Internet is challenging in most areas.
36 upvotes
Riley Mitchell
yep
35 upvotes
Aurora Johnson
100%
35 upvotes
Victoria Baker
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value weather, you'll love it. The safety is genuinely surprisingly good and I've found I'm still on the fence after all this time. My neighborhood (Riverside) is manageable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Austin, be prepared for the culture shock. nightlife is completely different here. And Property taxes are high.
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.
35 upvotes
Arianna Perez
Bought a house here in 2016 and it's not perfect but it works for me. Property values have gone about the same since then.
32 upvotes
Nicholas Thomas
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Internet is hit or miss in most areas.
31 upvotes
Sarah Sanders
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I'm still on the fence after all this time. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
30 upvotes
Ruby Harris
+1
22 upvotes
Elizabeth Patel
preach
22 upvotes
William Taylor
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value traffic, you'll love it. The safety is genuinely hit or miss and I've found it's been a really good experience overall. My neighborhood (Lakewood) is growing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Charlotte, be prepared for the culture shock. outdoor recreation is completely different here. And Traffic during rush hour is rough.
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.
21 upvotes
Jack E.
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are pretty good, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
20 upvotes
everly_native
exactly what I was thinking
19 upvotes
Julian Jones
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want safety, then yeah this place is great. But if safety matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
15 upvotes
Roman Cruz
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Highland for 15 years. Moved from Charlotte for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is solid. We bought in 2022 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
manufacturing is strong here. real estate 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:**
I have mixed feelings honestly. The outdoor scene is solid - we have state parks within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Highland schools are challenging. 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. Summers can be brutally hot. Winters are long and cold. And housing market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 9/10. It's not for everyone but it works for us.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
10 upvotes
Nora Nguyen
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 Boston, I was surprised by community vibe. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good healthcare facilities
- Lots of new development happening
- The community vibe scene is improving
The downsides:
- Nightlife is limited
- Urban sprawl is real
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for remote workers. No regrets on my end..
4 upvotes
Lydia M.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 4 years ago from New York and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Highland. It's surprisingly good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in healthcare. If you're in education you might struggle.
People: Generally solid. It took about 12 months to build a solid friend group.
All Countries
