Been meaning to ask this. I'm a college student here and Median household income is $142,207, which feels pretty solid for the area. You can expect to pay around $2,597 for rent here. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Looking forward to hearing from you all. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look.
9 upvotes
13 Replies
sacramento_arianna
Weather-wise, the summers are excellent and winters are pricey. You get used to it after the first year.
39 upvotes
Colton Brooks
I'm a pharmacist and I've found I have mixed feelings honestly. The community is improving and there's always something going on.
37 upvotes
Abigail
I work in manufacturing here and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The job market for my field is tough. Hope this helps!.
31 upvotes
Emma R.
I've lived in Downtown for about 1 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 Nashville, I was surprised by cost of living. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Decent public transit for the size
- Strong sense of community
- The community vibe scene is challenging
The downsides:
- Chain restaurants dominate
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for families. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
31 upvotes
Emma W.
Moved here last year, no regrets.
30 upvotes
Santiago Gutierrez
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value school system, you'll love it. The traffic is genuinely improving and I've found it exceeded my expectations. My neighborhood (Springfield) is pricey and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Minneapolis, be prepared for the culture shock. school system is completely different here. And Dating scene 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.
27 upvotes
Valentina Diaz
Came here for school and stayed because there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The outdoor recreation is honestly underrated and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
25 upvotes
Aubrey Jackson
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem decent.
I've been here 8 years and it's not perfect but it works for me. The thing nobody mentions is dating scene. It's reasonable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the dating scene is legit. And if you're into rock climbing, this place is hit or miss.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Meadowbrook side vs the Sunset side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Definitely worth checking out..
20 upvotes
nolalocal2021
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Highland for 10 years. Moved from Atlanta for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is tough. We bought in 2024 at k and it's now worth down slightly 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:**
real estate is strong here. marketing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are reasonable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I'm still on the fence after all this time. The outdoor scene is pretty good - we have hiking trails 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 excellent. 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. Limited high-paying job options. Can feel isolated. And weather can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 8/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
12 upvotes
Madeline Myers
exactly what I was thinking
12 upvotes
Robert Jones
Moved here last year, no regrets.
9 upvotes
Zoe King
I've lived in Oak Park for about 14 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it exceeded my expectations. When I first moved here from Portland, I was surprised by pet-friendliness. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Close to major attractions
- Affordable housing options
- The cultural scene scene is hit or miss
The downsides:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Road conditions need improvement
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for families. Feel free to reach out with questions..
6 upvotes
Ava Williams
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 14 years ago from Atlanta and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in South. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in retail. If you're in finance you might struggle.
People: Generally decent. It took about 10 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: excellent. Tons of options if you like Mediterranean.
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