Curious what people think. My family moved here when I was a kid. It's a a small town city with about 23,332 people. Poverty rate is 7.5%, which is pretty low. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Am I wrong here? I'd say it's better for families than young singles. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The suburbs are where most families end up. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look.
6 upvotes
13 Replies
minneapoliswalker2023
I've been living here for 2 years and I'd say it's improved dramatically in recent years. The public transit is excellent compared to other places I've lived. Overall Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
39 upvotes
Addison
accurate
37 upvotes
Aria W.
I work in marketing here and the quality of life is solid. The job market for my field is improving. Definitely worth checking out..
32 upvotes
Emma R.
The food scene here is better than expected. Tons of great BBQ places. it exceeded my expectations.
30 upvotes
Adeline R.
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 10 years. Moved from Denver for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is pretty good. We bought in 2019 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
real estate is strong here. government is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are affordable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I have mixed feelings honestly. The outdoor scene is average - we have national forests 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 average. 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. Urban sprawl is real. And healthcare can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 6/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
28 upvotes
Ariana Hill
I've lived in West 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 Atlanta, I was surprised by weather. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Good schools in most areas
- The food scene scene is surprisingly good
The downsides:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Urban sprawl is real
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for families. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
24 upvotes
Steven L.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem underrated.
I've been here 9 years and it's been a really good experience overall. The thing nobody mentions is housing market. It's pricey and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the community vibe is legit. And if you're into kayaking, this place is better than expected.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Pine Hills side vs the Cedar Grove side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
16 upvotes
Gabriel
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Internet is excellent in most areas.
15 upvotes
Ella F.
Hot take but the quality of life is solid. I know a lot of people disagree but after 9 years here, that's my honest assessment.
13 upvotes
Liam Miller
I've been living here for 2 years and I'd say it's improved dramatically in recent years. The healthcare is pretty good compared to other places I've lived. Overall Feel free to reach out with questions..
11 upvotes
Hailey Long
Used to live on the Eastside side, now on the Pine Hills side. Completely different vibe. the quality of life is solid.
6 upvotes
Hunter G.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Cedar Grove for 1 years. Moved from Chicago for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is underrated. We bought in 2015 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
hospitality is strong here. construction 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'm still on the fence after all this time. 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. Cedar Grove 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. Limited high-paying job options. Limited entertainment options. And community vibe can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 5/10. It's not for everyone but it works for us.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
5 upvotes
wild_aaron73
I work in tech here and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The job market for my field is hit or miss. No regrets on my end..
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