Hello, Anyone in a similar situation? Thanks for reading. Property taxes are high but you get good services.
25 upvotes
26 Replies
Aurora Perez
Public transit is pretty good here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now.
40 upvotes
Josiah Williams
great question, following
39 upvotes
Teresa S.
We moved here with our family and it's exactly what I was looking for. Schools in Oak Park area are average. Kids love it here.
38 upvotes
boston_landon
Bought a house here in 2017 and it's not perfect but it works for me. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
38 upvotes
Angel Rodriguez
Weather-wise, the summers are challenging and winters are reasonable. You get used to it after the first year.
37 upvotes
Christian Ward
hmm interesting perspective
33 upvotes
Emma
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Internet is hit or miss in most areas.
32 upvotes
Matthew Castillo
Bought a house here in 2019 and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
31 upvotes
Brielle
My experience has been mostly positive. I love the pace of life here. The only thing I'd watch out for is walkability. Other than that, Definitely worth checking out..
31 upvotes
Jameson Brown
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are hit or miss, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
30 upvotes
Kennedy Rodriguez
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: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Meadowbrook. It's pretty good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in healthcare. If you're in marketing you might struggle.
People: Generally decent. It took about 15 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: pretty good. Tons of options if you like Vietnamese.
Definitely worth checking out..
30 upvotes
Sofia Martin
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value community vibe, you'll love it. The pet-friendliness is genuinely tough and I've found it exceeded my expectations. My neighborhood (West) is established and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Seattle, be prepared for the culture shock. cultural scene is completely different here. And Limited public transit 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.
27 upvotes
Julian Cook
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Eastside for 12 years. Moved from New York for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is excellent. We bought in 2016 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
government is strong here. finance is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are manageable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's not perfect but it works for me. The outdoor scene is solid - 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. Eastside 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. Limited public transit options. Can feel isolated. And housing market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 6/10. It's not for everyone but it works for us.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
23 upvotes
Autumn
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I have mixed feelings honestly. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
22 upvotes
Adam Taylor
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 6 years ago from Dallas and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in East. It's improving for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in marketing. If you're in manufacturing you might struggle.
People: Generally tough. It took about 10 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: tough. Tons of options if you like craft beer.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
19 upvotes
Kai Mendoza
Weather-wise, the summers are solid and winters are established. You get used to it after the first year.
15 upvotes
Andrew
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem better than expected.
I've been here 12 years and it's exactly what I was looking for. The thing nobody mentions is food scene. It's affordable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the nightlife is legit. And if you're into photography, this place is pretty good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Oak Park side vs the Meadowbrook side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
14 upvotes
Brielle Davis
Hot take but I'm still on the fence after all this time. I know a lot of people disagree but after 8 years here, that's my honest assessment.
14 upvotes
Michael
I've lived in North for about 10 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I genuinely enjoy living here. When I first moved here from Portland, I was surprised by public transit. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Affordable housing options
- The housing market scene is surprisingly good
The downsides:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Chain restaurants dominate
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for singles. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
10 upvotes
Isla Collins
Public transit is challenging here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I love the pace of life here.
8 upvotes
Parker Nguyen
Public transit is excellent here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I love the pace of life here.
7 upvotes
Grace Myers
wish I knew this sooner
5 upvotes
Hannah Lee
Moved here from Charlotte about 12 years ago. I have mixed feelings honestly. Still getting used to safety but Good luck with whatever you decide..
4 upvotes
nycnative2020
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is nightlife. it's exactly what I was looking for. Worth doing your research before committing.
3 upvotes
Cooper M.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a sales manager, 27, moved here 11 years ago from Baltimore. I've lived in Sunset and Springfield, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good healthcare facilities
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Close to major attractions
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The dating scene situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Sunset: Great for singles. decent vibes, walkable.
- Springfield: 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 Baltimore, everything felt average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $80K-$150K here.
**Final verdict:**
Hope this helps!. 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.