I'm a 41-year-old social worker and Median household income is $81,041, which feels pretty solid for the area. Property taxes are high but you get good services. What would you do? The food scene here is surprisingly good. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly.
4 upvotes
29 Replies
Willow C.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in South for 3 years. Moved from Austin for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is challenging. We bought in 2018 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
tech is strong here. manufacturing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are stable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it exceeded my expectations. 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. South schools are pretty good. 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. Chain restaurants dominate. Can feel isolated. And traffic can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 7/10. Hope this helps!. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
39 upvotes
Adam M.
Used to live on the North side, now on the Highland side. Completely different vibe. the quality of life is solid.
37 upvotes
Jace Williams
Weather-wise, the summers are average and winters are developing. You get used to it after the first year.
35 upvotes
Ava
Hot take but it's been a really good experience overall. I know a lot of people disagree but after 4 years here, that's my honest assessment.
35 upvotes
Melissa W.
been saying this for years
33 upvotes
Gabriel Walker
hard disagree but ok
32 upvotes
Michael E.
not my experience at all
30 upvotes
Eliana Morris
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 2-bedroom. I genuinely enjoy living here. Compared to Tampa it's solid.
29 upvotes
Autumn Flores
Moved here from Phoenix about 2 years ago. I genuinely enjoy living here. Still getting used to healthcare but Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
28 upvotes
Allison Edwards
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a social worker who relocated here from LA about 5 years ago. The main reasons were a fresh start and quality of life.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good schools in most areas
- Active local events and festivals
- Close to major attractions
Cons that are real:
- Winters are long and cold
- Property taxes are high
Financially, we've found it surprisingly good compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are affordable, gas is surprisingly good.
Socially, the quality of life is solid. No regrets on my end..
27 upvotes
Connor Collins
We moved here with our family and it exceeded my expectations. Schools in Downtown area are solid. Kids love it here.
25 upvotes
Isabelle Brooks
We moved here with our family and I'm still on the fence after all this time. Schools in Greenfield area are average. Kids love it here.
25 upvotes
Logan Carter
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 Miami for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is improving. We bought in 2023 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
tech is strong here. manufacturing 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:**
I genuinely enjoy living here. The outdoor scene is improving - we have lakes 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 tough. 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. Traffic during rush hour is rough. Dating scene is rough. And weather can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 7/10. It's not for everyone but it works for us.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
23 upvotes
Hailey A.
haha yep pretty much
23 upvotes
Nevaeh M.
honestly same experience here
22 upvotes
William
accurate
22 upvotes
phoenixmind2026
Moved here from LA about 1 years ago. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Still getting used to cost of living but Definitely worth checking out..
21 upvotes
Brandon R.
As someone who grew up here, it's not perfect but it works for me. A lot has changed in the past few years though. job market used to be much reasonable but now it's tough.
19 upvotes
oaklandguy2025
Hot take but it's improved dramatically in recent years. I know a lot of people disagree but after 13 years here, that's my honest assessment.
17 upvotes
Riley Chavez
interesting, hadn't considered that
17 upvotes
Mateo James
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a marketing manager, 34, moved here 12 years ago from Austin. I've lived in The Heights and Riverside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Low crime in most neighborhoods
2. Good healthcare facilities
3. Decent public transit for the size
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Nightlife is limited
3. The dating scene situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- The Heights: Great for remote workers. excellent vibes, walkable.
- Riverside: 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 Austin, everything felt improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $70K-$150K here.
**Final verdict:**
Good luck with whatever you decide.. 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.
16 upvotes
Jaxon Brown
Public transit is decent here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I have mixed feelings honestly.
15 upvotes
bennett_fan
I'm a HR manager and I've found it was the best decision I ever made. The community is better than expected and there's always something going on.
10 upvotes
kc_weston
hard disagree but ok
8 upvotes
true_evan13
not my experience at all
8 upvotes
Aaliyah F.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value pet-friendliness, you'll love it. The walkability is genuinely underrated and I've found the quality of life is solid. My neighborhood (Meadowbrook) is wild and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Austin, be prepared for the culture shock. job market 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.
6 upvotes
Isaiah Chavez
great question, following
5 upvotes
Cooper J.
I'm a sales manager and I've found it exceeded my expectations. The community is average and there's always something going on.
2 upvotes
Ezekiel Castillo
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Lakewood for 10 years. Moved from Tampa for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is average. We bought in 2023 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
tech is strong here. retail 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:**
I genuinely enjoy living here. The outdoor scene is improving - we have lakes within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Lakewood schools are surprisingly good. 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. Not a lot of cultural diversity. Can feel isolated. And safety can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 5/10. Would recommend to anyone considering it.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
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