Hey, Rent is about $1,998/month for a decent place. It's a a mid-size city city with about 106K people. With a population of 106K, Columbia is a mid-size city. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look.
Cons:
- Mosquitoes and humidity
- Limited cultural events
- Not enough green space
Has anyone dealt with this? Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. The food scene here is surprisingly good. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. I'd say it's better for families than young singles.
59 upvotes
21 Replies
Rylee Collins
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's not perfect but it works for me. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
38 upvotes
Kinsley Torres
I've been living here for 6 years and I'd say it's been a really good experience overall. The community vibe is underrated compared to other places I've lived. Overall Definitely worth checking out..
35 upvotes
Ella M.
This.
35 upvotes
Zoe D.
yeah no that's not right
32 upvotes
Reagan Moore
I'm a project manager and I've found it exceeded my expectations. The community is solid and there's always something going on.
31 upvotes
Leo Bennett
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a physical therapist, 24, moved here 3 years ago from Portland. I've lived in Midtown and Lakewood, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Urban sprawl is real
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The healthcare situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Midtown: Great for remote workers. challenging vibes, walkable.
- Lakewood: 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 Portland, everything felt hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $40K-$90K 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.
25 upvotes
Stephen M.
As someone who grew up here, it's been a really good experience overall. A lot has changed in the past few years though. job market used to be much stable but now it's better than expected.
24 upvotes
Oliver Ramirez
+1
23 upvotes
Jameson Nelson
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 5 years. Moved from Seattle for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is improving. We bought in 2019 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
consulting is strong here. consulting 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 ski resorts 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 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. Dating scene is rough. Far from beaches/mountains. And public transit can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 8/10. Hope this helps!. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
22 upvotes
Carson Bailey
Saving this thread
21 upvotes
Levi Evans
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Internet is tough in most areas.
20 upvotes
Owen Brooks
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 9 years ago from Miami and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Oak Park. It's tough for what you get.
Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in government. If you're in marketing you might struggle.
People: Generally excellent. It took about 10 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: tough. Tons of options if you like Southern.
Definitely worth checking out..
17 upvotes
Bruce G.
Totally agree!
15 upvotes
Addison Thomas
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a physical therapist who relocated here from San Diego about 15 years ago. The main reasons were a fresh start and my partner's job.
Pros I've experienced:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Nice parks and green spaces
Cons that are real:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
Financially, we've found it challenging compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are reasonable, gas is better than expected.
Socially, it's exactly what I was looking for. No regrets on my end..
15 upvotes
Zoey Castillo
exactly what I was thinking
15 upvotes
Landon Stewart
interesting, hadn't considered that
11 upvotes
Alice H.
as a local I can confirm
10 upvotes
Jordan Gray
Came here for my partner's job and stayed because there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The school system is honestly tough and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
7 upvotes
William Jones
haha yep pretty much
3 upvotes
Arianna Evans
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value nightlife, you'll love it. The public transit is genuinely improving and I've found it's improved dramatically in recent years. My neighborhood (Meadowbrook) is growing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Nashville, be prepared for the culture shock. food scene is completely different here. And Summers can be brutally hot.
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
Everett F.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 5 years ago from New York and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Old Town. It's surprisingly good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in hospitality. If you're in legal you might struggle.
People: Generally challenging. It took about 5 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: average. Tons of options if you like Mexican.
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