Been meaning to ask this. I'm a remote worker and Average temperature is around 52--F, so expect cold winters. You can expect to pay around $1,118 for rent here. Household incomes average around $59,768 in College Place. It's a a small town city with about 9,828 people. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods.
9 upvotes
14 Replies
Leonardo Young
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 10 years ago from Denver and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Uptown. It's surprisingly good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in finance. If you're in tech you might struggle.
People: Generally challenging. It took about 14 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: solid. Tons of options if you like Southern.
Definitely worth checking out..
40 upvotes
sdrunner2025
spot on
38 upvotes
Nolan Foster
Moved here from Tampa about 4 years ago. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Still getting used to outdoor recreation but Good luck with whatever you decide..
38 upvotes
Henry Myers
been saying this for years
37 upvotes
leah_mama
seconding this
36 upvotes
Bryan F.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a sales manager, 47, moved here 15 years ago from San Francisco. I've lived in Lakewood and Fairview, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Low crime in most neighborhoods
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The food scene situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Lakewood: Great for couples. challenging vibes, walkable.
- Fairview: 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 San Francisco, everything felt improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $80K-$80K here.
**Final verdict:**
Would recommend to anyone considering it.. 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
Madeline
noted, appreciate it
28 upvotes
Alexa Lewis
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 13 years. Moved from San Francisco for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is underrated. We bought in 2018 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. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
finance 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:**
I genuinely enjoy living here. The outdoor scene is pretty good - we have rivers 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. Not very walkable outside downtown. Property taxes are high. And healthcare can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 8/10. Definitely worth checking out.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
21 upvotes
Amelia Ross
as a local I can confirm
19 upvotes
Colton R.
Saving this thread
18 upvotes
Cameron Rogers
Weather-wise, the summers are improving and winters are stable. You get used to it after the first year.
8 upvotes
Lydia White
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a chef, 56, moved here 15 years ago from Minneapolis. I've lived in Maple Ridge and South, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Growing food and restaurant scene
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Nightlife is limited
2. Urban sprawl is real
3. The food scene situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Maple Ridge: Great for retirees. decent vibes, walkable.
- South: 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 Minneapolis, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $80K-$120K 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.
6 upvotes
Vivian Reyes
good to know, thanks
5 upvotes
Xavier Stewart
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a physical therapist who relocated here from Seattle about 13 years ago. The main reasons were quality of life and family.
Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Affordable housing options
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Winters are long and cold
- Nightlife is limited
Financially, we've found it excellent compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are developing, gas is tough.
Socially, it exceeded my expectations. Feel free to reach out with questions..
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