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living_aaron52
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Commute times in Coeur d'Alene -how bad?
Hey, Any advice would be great. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The suburbs are where most families end up.
7 upvotes
12 Replies
Autumn Flores
exactly what I was thinking
38 upvotes
Santiago Brooks
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem improving.
I've been here 2 years and the quality of life is solid. The thing nobody mentions is job market. It's pricey and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the traffic is legit. And if you're into fishing, this place is hit or miss.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The The Heights side vs the Oak Park side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
I've been here 2 years and the quality of life is solid. The thing nobody mentions is job market. It's pricey and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the traffic is legit. And if you're into fishing, this place is hit or miss.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The The Heights side vs the Oak Park side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
31 upvotes
Hazel Davis
couldn't agree more
29 upvotes
Jose Bailey
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 4 years. Moved from Seattle for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is solid. We bought in 2019 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. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
manufacturing is strong here. finance 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:**
I have mixed feelings honestly. The outdoor scene is decent - 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. Oak Park schools are underrated. 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. Road conditions need improvement. And outdoor recreation can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 9/10. Hope this helps!. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
I've been in Oak Park for 4 years. Moved from Seattle for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is solid. We bought in 2019 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. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
manufacturing is strong here. finance 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:**
I have mixed feelings honestly. The outdoor scene is decent - 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. Oak Park schools are underrated. 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. Road conditions need improvement. And outdoor recreation can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 9/10. Hope this helps!. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
22 upvotes
Maverick Sanders
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 14 years ago from LA and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Greenfield. It's decent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in real estate. If you're in legal you might struggle.
People: Generally solid. It took about 12 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: pretty good. Tons of options if you like Mediterranean.
Hope this helps!.
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Greenfield. It's decent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in real estate. If you're in legal you might struggle.
People: Generally solid. It took about 12 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: pretty good. Tons of options if you like Mediterranean.
Hope this helps!.
13 upvotes
indygirl2023
We moved here with our family and it's improved dramatically in recent years. Schools in Midtown area are hit or miss. Kids love it here.
13 upvotes
Jackson Jackson
We moved here with our family and it exceeded my expectations. Schools in Westside area are average. Kids love it here.
13 upvotes
Miles Thomas
I've lived in Greenfield for about 7 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's been a really good experience overall. When I first moved here from Portland, I was surprised by safety. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good schools in most areas
- Lots of new development happening
- The safety scene is decent
The downsides:
- Dating scene is rough
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for couples. Good luck with whatever you decide..
it's been a really good experience overall. When I first moved here from Portland, I was surprised by safety. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good schools in most areas
- Lots of new development happening
- The safety scene is decent
The downsides:
- Dating scene is rough
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for couples. Good luck with whatever you decide..
11 upvotes
Luke Baker
Bought a house here in 2018 and I have mixed feelings honestly. Property values have gone about the same since then.
10 upvotes
Abigail M.
honestly same experience here
5 upvotes
local_grace35
The food scene here is hit or miss. Tons of great Asian places. it's improved dramatically in recent years.
3 upvotes
Clara J.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value pet-friendliness, you'll love it. The job market is genuinely better than expected and I've found I love the pace of life here. My neighborhood (Cedar Grove) is competitive and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Miami, 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.
If you value pet-friendliness, you'll love it. The job market is genuinely better than expected and I've found I love the pace of life here. My neighborhood (Cedar Grove) is competitive and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Miami, 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.
2 upvotes