Homes are going for about $870,800 on average. Poverty rate is 4.0%, which is pretty low. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The suburbs are where most families end up. Let me know your thoughts. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus.
25 upvotes
30 Replies
Ella Johnson
facts
39 upvotes
Daniel Moore
Used to live on the West side, now on the East side. Completely different vibe. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
39 upvotes
Declan A.
noted, appreciate it
37 upvotes
Kayden C.
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are underrated, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
36 upvotes
Hazel Richardson
Moved here from Atlanta about 13 years ago. it exceeded my expectations. Still getting used to public transit but Hope this helps!.
34 upvotes
Wesley Brooks
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 15 years. Moved from Charlotte for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is challenging. We bought in 2019 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
consulting is strong here. tech 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's not perfect but it works for me. The outdoor scene is average - we have biking trails 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 decent. 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. Bugs and humidity in summer. And weather can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 6/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
33 upvotes
Savannah Clark
Weather-wise, the summers are decent and winters are wild. You get used to it after the first year.
32 upvotes
houston_willow
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a pharmacist, 29, moved here 15 years ago from Seattle. I've lived in Springfield and Downtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Nice parks and green spaces
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Rising rent and home prices
2. Limited shopping options
3. The outdoor recreation situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Springfield: Great for families. solid vibes, walkable.
- Downtown: 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 decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $90K-$100K here.
**Final verdict:**
It's not for everyone but it works for us.. 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.
32 upvotes
Carter H.
honestly same experience here
30 upvotes
Natalie Edwards
We moved here with our family and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Schools in The Heights area are solid. Kids love it here.
28 upvotes
Sofia C.
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are excellent, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
28 upvotes
Madelyn Gutierrez
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want weather, then yeah this place is great. But if safety matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
28 upvotes
Roger A.
We moved here with our family and it's been a really good experience overall. Schools in North area are underrated. Kids love it here.
27 upvotes
Isaiah Green
My experience has been mostly positive. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The only thing I'd watch out for is cultural scene. Other than that, Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
26 upvotes
Sebastian W.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 10 years ago from Portland and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Westside. It's challenging for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in finance. If you're in tech you might struggle.
People: Generally improving. It took about 6 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like Mediterranean.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
26 upvotes
Samuel Sanders
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in South for 6 years. Moved from Miami for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is solid. We bought in 2022 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. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
healthcare is strong here. hospitality is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are competitive for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it exceeded my expectations. The outdoor scene is underrated - we have beaches 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 better than expected. 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. Winters are long and cold. Urban sprawl is real. And public transit can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 7/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
25 upvotes
Adam Gomez
Bought a house here in 2022 and it's been a really good experience overall. Property values have gone up significantly since then.
25 upvotes
Naomi
couldn't agree more
24 upvotes
Andrew Hughes
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem solid.
I've been here 10 years and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The thing nobody mentions is outdoor recreation. It's developing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the school system is legit. And if you're into photography, this place is excellent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Old Town side vs the Pine Hills side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
16 upvotes
Aria Garcia
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value safety, you'll love it. The school system is genuinely decent and I've found the quality of life is solid. My neighborhood (Pine Hills) is wild and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Salt Lake City, be prepared for the culture shock. community vibe is completely different here. And Property taxes are high.
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.
16 upvotes
Savannah Adams
it depends on the neighborhood
16 upvotes
Isabelle Scott
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value school system, you'll love it. The community vibe is genuinely improving and I've found I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. My neighborhood (The Heights) is competitive and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Boston, be prepared for the culture shock. job market is completely different here. And Nightlife is limited.
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.
14 upvotes
Stella Thompson
Came here for retirement and stayed because I love the pace of life here. The outdoor recreation is honestly pretty good and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
12 upvotes
Lily Edwards
spot on
11 upvotes
sunny_adeline89
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem decent.
I've been here 15 years and it's not perfect but it works for me. The thing nobody mentions is cultural scene. It's developing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the housing market is legit. And if you're into skiing, this place is pretty good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Pine Hills side vs the North side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
11 upvotes
Brooks King
as a local I can confirm
11 upvotes
Robert Y.
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are challenging, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
11 upvotes
Easton T.
I'm a teacher and I've found it exceeded my expectations. The community is underrated and there's always something going on.
8 upvotes
Elijah Cruz
nah I disagree
4 upvotes
Nicholas C.
Bought a house here in 2018 and it's improved dramatically in recent years. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
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