I work in consulting and Rent is about $1,030/month for a decent place. It's a a smaller city city with about 58,599 people. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The suburbs are where most families end up. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting.
28 upvotes
18 Replies
Victoria H.
not my experience at all
39 upvotes
Genesis G.
lol so true
38 upvotes
Chloe Mendoza
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want housing market, then yeah this place is great. But if healthcare matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
32 upvotes
Vivian Walker
Came here for work and stayed because I'm still on the fence after all this time. The public transit is honestly pretty good and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
26 upvotes
Willow M.
As someone who grew up here, it's exactly what I was looking for. A lot has changed in the past few years though. nightlife used to be much reasonable but now it's pretty good.
26 upvotes
Aaron Cox
preach
22 upvotes
Evelyn W.
We moved here with our family and it exceeded my expectations. Schools in Downtown area are hit or miss. Kids love it here.
19 upvotes
Reagan Lopez
I've lived in East for about 10 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I genuinely enjoy living here. When I first moved here from Denver, I was surprised by nightlife. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Good schools in most areas
- The outdoor recreation scene is decent
The downsides:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Limited shopping options
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for remote workers. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
18 upvotes
Caleb P.
this is the way
17 upvotes
David B.
Came here for family and stayed because I genuinely enjoy living here. The job market is honestly solid and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
17 upvotes
Cooper C.
Moved here from Baltimore about 3 years ago. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Still getting used to safety but Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
16 upvotes
Justin J.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Oak Park for 2 years. Moved from Atlanta for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is surprisingly good. We bought in 2018 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
engineering is strong here. consulting is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are developing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's not perfect but it works for me. The outdoor scene is average - we have desert landscapes within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Oak Park 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. Summers can be brutally hot. Limited shopping options. And cultural scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 8/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
12 upvotes
Alice Hernandez
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 9 years ago from Chicago and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Maple Ridge. It's improving for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in construction. If you're in finance you might struggle.
People: Generally decent. It took about 9 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: better than expected. Tons of options if you like Asian.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
11 upvotes
Daniel R.
As someone who grew up here, it's been a really good experience overall. A lot has changed in the past few years though. healthcare used to be much manageable but now it's average.
8 upvotes
Emma Rogers
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a pharmacist, 34, moved here 2 years ago from LA. I've lived in South and Sunset, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Four distinct seasons
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Chain restaurants dominate
2. Dating scene is rough
3. The pet-friendliness situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- South: Great for families. decent vibes, walkable.
- Sunset: 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 LA, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $90K-$100K here.
**Final verdict:**
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. 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.
7 upvotes
Adeline
Moved here from Houston about 1 years ago. I genuinely enjoy living here. Still getting used to outdoor recreation but Good luck with whatever you decide..
6 upvotes
Natalie Clark
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value school system, you'll love it. The school system is genuinely tough and I've found I love the pace of life here. My neighborhood (Greenfield) is stable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Chicago, be prepared for the culture shock. school system is completely different here. And Chain restaurants dominate.
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.
3 upvotes
Eva Rivera
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Sunset for 10 years. Moved from New York for family. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is solid. We bought in 2024 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
construction is strong here. construction is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are pricey for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it exceeded my expectations. The outdoor scene is tough - we have desert landscapes within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Sunset 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. Road conditions need improvement. Bugs and humidity in summer. And nightlife can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 5/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
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