Hey, I work in media and The unemployment rate is 2.9%, which is pretty low. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Am I wrong here? Appreciate any input. It's not perfect, but the community is solid.
7 upvotes
22 Replies
Nolan Castillo
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 6 years ago from Portland and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Cedar Grove. It's challenging for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in hospitality. If you're in consulting you might struggle.
People: Generally surprisingly good. It took about 16 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: pretty good. Tons of options if you like Asian.
Hope this helps!.
37 upvotes
Greyson T.
following this thread
36 upvotes
Autumn Perez
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in North for 7 years. Moved from San Francisco for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is challenging. 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 2-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
education is strong here. retail is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are growing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I love the pace of life here. The outdoor scene is tough - we have mountains within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. North 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. Dating scene is rough. And job market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 9/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
36 upvotes
Zoe Alvarez
Public transit is hit or miss here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it was the best decision I ever made.
35 upvotes
oakland_cameron
Saving this thread
28 upvotes
Julia Nelson
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 4-bedroom. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Compared to San Francisco it's underrated.
21 upvotes
Jonathan F.
underrated comment
20 upvotes
Valentina Watson
Hot take but there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. I know a lot of people disagree but after 12 years here, that's my honest assessment.
19 upvotes
Xavier Reed
100%
18 upvotes
Liam Campbell
Bought a house here in 2022 and it was the best decision I ever made. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
16 upvotes
Colton
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a sales manager, 58, moved here 6 years ago from Pittsburgh. I've lived in Fairview and Old Town, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Strong job market in several industries
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. Urban sprawl is real
3. The dating scene situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Fairview: Great for families. tough vibes, walkable.
- Old Town: 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 Pittsburgh, everything felt underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $40K-$130K here.
**Final verdict:**
Feel free to reach out with questions.. 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.
14 upvotes
Quinn King
I work in government here and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The job market for my field is underrated. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
14 upvotes
Charlotte Taylor
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 13 years ago from Raleigh and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Oak Park. It's underrated for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in marketing. If you're in engineering you might struggle.
People: Generally solid. It took about 11 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: surprisingly good. Tons of options if you like Asian.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
14 upvotes
Landon Mitchell
Can confirm, been here 2 years.
13 upvotes
Amy R.
We moved here with our family and it exceeded my expectations. Schools in Maple Ridge area are decent. Kids love it here.
12 upvotes
Audrey
haha yep pretty much
10 upvotes
born_charlotte26
We moved here with our family and it's not perfect but it works for me. Schools in The Heights area are average. Kids love it here.
8 upvotes
Ezra
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem underrated.
I've been here 4 years and it's improved dramatically in recent years. The thing nobody mentions is walkability. It's stable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the school system is legit. And if you're into golfing, this place is excellent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Oak Park side vs the Greenfield side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Definitely worth checking out..
7 upvotes
Jordan Thompson
interesting, hadn't considered that
5 upvotes
Emily Edwards
I'm a data analyst and I've found it's exactly what I was looking for. The community is excellent and there's always something going on.
2 upvotes
Ellie Parker
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value pet-friendliness, you'll love it. The housing market is genuinely improving and I've found it's not perfect but it works for me. My neighborhood (Lakewood) is reasonable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from LA, be prepared for the culture shock. dating scene is completely different here. And Limited shopping 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.
1 upvotes
jaxon_heart
I've lived in Oak Park for about 6 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I love the pace of life here. When I first moved here from Baltimore, I was surprised by walkability. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good healthcare facilities
- Close to major attractions
- The healthcare scene is hit or miss
The downsides:
- Winters are long and cold
- Not very walkable outside downtown
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for singles. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
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