I'm a teacher here and Rent is about $981/month for a decent place. The unemployment rate is 1.2%, which is pretty low. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Let me know your thoughts. Appreciate any input. I'd say it's better for families than young singles.
20 upvotes
26 Replies
Logan Foster
couldn't agree more
39 upvotes
Riley W.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 6 years ago from Austin and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Highland. It's surprisingly good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in retail. If you're in consulting you might struggle.
People: Generally pretty good. It took about 8 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: surprisingly good. Tons of options if you like Asian.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
38 upvotes
Eva J.
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 Miami for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is surprisingly good. We bought in 2018 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. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
education is strong here. healthcare 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's been a really good experience overall. The outdoor scene is decent - we have desert landscapes 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 challenging. 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. Nightlife is limited. Not very walkable outside downtown. And healthcare can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 9/10. It's not for everyone but it works for us.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
35 upvotes
Reagan A.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a software engineer, 51, moved here 7 years ago from Boston. I've lived in Uptown and Greenfield, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Close to major attractions
2. Affordable housing options
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Not very walkable outside downtown
3. The weather situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Uptown: Great for young professionals. average vibes, walkable.
- Greenfield: 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 Boston, everything felt improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $60K-$110K here.
**Final verdict:**
Happy to answer more specific questions.. 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.
33 upvotes
Eva Williams
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem challenging.
I've been here 8 years and I genuinely enjoy living here. The thing nobody mentions is food scene. It's wild and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the food scene is legit. And if you're into camping, this place is surprisingly good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Midtown side vs the Eastside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Definitely worth checking out..
29 upvotes
river_adam46
accurate
26 upvotes
Landon Wilson
I work in manufacturing here and it was the best decision I ever made. The job market for my field is excellent. Feel free to reach out with questions..
25 upvotes
Brooklyn G.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value traffic, you'll love it. The cultural scene is genuinely excellent and I've found it's not perfect but it works for me. My neighborhood (Springfield) is competitive and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Dallas, be prepared for the culture shock. food scene is completely different here. And Winters are long and cold.
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.
23 upvotes
Mason
literally same
22 upvotes
Judith R.
Moved here from San Diego about 3 years ago. it exceeded my expectations. Still getting used to public transit but No regrets on my end..
22 upvotes
Nora Morgan
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value job market, you'll love it. The outdoor recreation is genuinely challenging and I've found I genuinely enjoy living here. My neighborhood (Springfield) is developing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from San Francisco, be prepared for the culture shock. outdoor recreation is completely different here. And Not a lot of cultural diversity.
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.
22 upvotes
Judith R.
Bought a house here in 2021 and it's exactly what I was looking for. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
20 upvotes
Ava Gomez
I've lived in West for about 3 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I love the pace of life here. When I first moved here from Dallas, I was surprised by job market. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Good healthcare facilities
- The community vibe scene is tough
The downsides:
- Limited high-paying job options
- Road conditions need improvement
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for families. Good luck with whatever you decide..
18 upvotes
Paisley James
lol so true
18 upvotes
Claire
exactly what I was thinking
14 upvotes
James Flores
Weather-wise, the summers are tough and winters are wild. You get used to it after the first year.
12 upvotes
Ava Walker
I've lived in Springfield for about 7 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. When I first moved here from Miami, I was surprised by traffic. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- The traffic scene is underrated
The downsides:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Far from beaches/mountains
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for remote workers. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
11 upvotes
Gabriella W.
glad someone said it
9 upvotes
Lucy Young
it depends on the neighborhood
9 upvotes
Jaxon Peterson
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value pet-friendliness, you'll love it. The pet-friendliness is genuinely better than expected and I've found there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. My neighborhood (Eastside) is growing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Salt Lake City, be prepared for the culture shock. pet-friendliness is completely different here. And Can feel isolated.
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.
8 upvotes
Willow Rogers
I've been living here for 15 years and I'd say it was the best decision I ever made. The housing market is solid compared to other places I've lived. Overall Definitely worth checking out..
4 upvotes
Kayden Wright
Used to live on the West side, now on the Downtown side. Completely different vibe. I'm still on the fence after all this time.
3 upvotes
lamama2021
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in South for 2 years. Moved from Raleigh for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is average. 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 4-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
healthcare is strong here. manufacturing 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'm still on the fence after all this time. The outdoor scene is average - we have lakes within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. South schools are pretty 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. Homeless population growing downtown. Bugs and humidity in summer. And public transit can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 5/10. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
3 upvotes
Carter H.
preach
1 upvotes
Mia Lewis
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value traffic, you'll love it. The cost of living is genuinely surprisingly good and I've found the quality of life is solid. My neighborhood (South) is established and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Phoenix, be prepared for the culture shock. food scene is completely different here. And Urban sprawl is real.
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.
0 upvotes
Logan Torres
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem surprisingly good.
I've been here 6 years and it's exactly what I was looking for. The thing nobody mentions is job market. It's growing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the school system is legit. And if you're into running, this place is average.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Midtown side vs the South side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
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