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Grace H.
best-worst
Unpopular opinion about Buckeye
So, What would you do? There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years.
5 upvotes
11 Replies
Lydia Roberts
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 3-bedroom. it's been a really good experience overall. Compared to New York it's better than expected.
37 upvotes
Declan Castillo
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a sales manager, 47, moved here 12 years ago from Seattle. I've lived in East and South, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Low crime in most neighborhoods
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Chain restaurants dominate
3. The pet-friendliness situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- East: Great for families. hit or miss vibes, walkable.
- South: 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 Seattle, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $40K-$150K here.
**Final verdict:**
Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. 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.
Background: I'm a sales manager, 47, moved here 12 years ago from Seattle. I've lived in East and South, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Low crime in most neighborhoods
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Chain restaurants dominate
3. The pet-friendliness situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- East: Great for families. hit or miss vibes, walkable.
- South: 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 Seattle, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $40K-$150K here.
**Final verdict:**
Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. 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
Avery Chavez
We moved here with our family and I genuinely enjoy living here. Schools in Downtown area are challenging. Kids love it here.
33 upvotes
Dominic E.
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 4-bedroom. it's improved dramatically in recent years. Compared to Dallas it's hit or miss.
32 upvotes
Emmett Mitchell
Hot take but it exceeded my expectations. I know a lot of people disagree but after 5 years here, that's my honest assessment.
31 upvotes
Kinsley Kim
Can confirm, been here 13 years.
24 upvotes
Valentina E.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value cost of living, you'll love it. The nightlife is genuinely solid and I've found there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. My neighborhood (Greenfield) is manageable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Portland, be prepared for the culture shock. housing market is completely different here. And Urban sprawl is real.
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.
If you value cost of living, you'll love it. The nightlife is genuinely solid and I've found there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. My neighborhood (Greenfield) is manageable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Portland, be prepared for the culture shock. housing market is completely different here. And Urban sprawl is real.
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.
20 upvotes
Nicholas F.
big facts right here
15 upvotes
Zoey G.
interesting, hadn't considered that
11 upvotes
Everly Stewart
I've lived in Oak Park for about 8 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 New York, I was surprised by cost of living. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good healthcare facilities
- Decent public transit for the size
- The housing market scene is surprisingly good
The downsides:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Dating scene is rough
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for remote workers. Hope this helps!.
I'm still on the fence after all this time. When I first moved here from New York, I was surprised by cost of living. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good healthcare facilities
- Decent public transit for the size
- The housing market scene is surprisingly good
The downsides:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Dating scene is rough
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for remote workers. Hope this helps!.
11 upvotes
Michael Roberts
exactly what I was thinking
7 upvotes