Hi all, The median home value here is around $2,000,001, which is pretty steep. With a population of 58,886, Cupertino is a smaller city. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The weather takes some getting used to. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The food scene here is surprisingly good. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting.
30 upvotes
13 Replies
Stephen A.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want nightlife, then yeah this place is great. But if public transit matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
40 upvotes
kcfan2026
nah I disagree
39 upvotes
Adrian Miller
yeah no that's not right
36 upvotes
Logan Wood
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Hope this helps!.
34 upvotes
Carson White
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in East for 2 years. Moved from Phoenix for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is underrated. We bought in 2019 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
hospitality is strong here. healthcare is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are growing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it was the best decision I ever made. The outdoor scene is challenging - 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. East 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. Not very walkable outside downtown. Road conditions need improvement. And walkability can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 8/10. It's not for everyone but it works for us.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
31 upvotes
Declan L.
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 7 years. Moved from Chicago for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is tough. We bought in 2016 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
healthcare is strong here. marketing 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 improved dramatically in recent years. The outdoor scene is surprisingly good - 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 improving. 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. Summers can be brutally hot. And housing market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 5/10. Hope this helps!. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
29 upvotes
Leonardo W.
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is nightlife. it was the best decision I ever made. Worth doing your research before committing.
25 upvotes
vegas_cooper
Came here for a job opportunity and stayed because it's improved dramatically in recent years. The healthcare is honestly solid and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
23 upvotes
Everly Bennett
We moved here with our family and it's been a really good experience overall. Schools in North area are challenging. Kids love it here.
8 upvotes
Reagan Robinson
I work in construction here and I love the pace of life here. The job market for my field is solid. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
8 upvotes
Christian Harris
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a writer who relocated here from Austin about 11 years ago. The main reasons were weather and school.
Pros I've experienced:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Strong job market in several industries
- Active local events and festivals
Cons that are real:
- Chain restaurants dominate
- Limited entertainment options
Financially, we've found it improving compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are manageable, gas is tough.
Socially, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Happy to answer more specific questions..
5 upvotes
Axel M.
Public transit is average here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's exactly what I was looking for.
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