OK so Rent is about $861/month for a decent place. Household incomes average around $59,831 in Decatur. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Night life is decent if you know the right spots.
11 upvotes
26 Replies
Nora C.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a marketing manager who relocated here from Pittsburgh about 14 years ago. The main reasons were school and a fresh start.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Decent public transit for the size
Cons that are real:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Financially, we've found it hit or miss compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are competitive, gas is better than expected.
Socially, I love the pace of life here. Feel free to reach out with questions..
40 upvotes
Wyatt Ramos
following this thread
39 upvotes
John Davis
Hot take but I love the pace of life here. I know a lot of people disagree but after 15 years here, that's my honest assessment.
38 upvotes
Skylar Diaz
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a real estate agent who relocated here from New York about 6 years ago. The main reasons were my partner's job and quality of life.
Pros I've experienced:
- Lots of new development happening
- Good internet infrastructure
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Limited entertainment options
- Far from beaches/mountains
Financially, we've found it improving compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are growing, gas is challenging.
Socially, I'm still on the fence after all this time. Definitely worth checking out..
38 upvotes
Alexa Castillo
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 2-bedroom. the quality of life is solid. Compared to Chicago it's surprisingly good.
35 upvotes
Melanie Parker
As someone who grew up here, it was the best decision I ever made. A lot has changed in the past few years though. food scene used to be much stable but now it's average.
32 upvotes
urban_avery84
exactly what I was thinking
31 upvotes
Isabella
glad someone said it
30 upvotes
Benjamin Ramirez
My experience has been mostly positive. it exceeded my expectations. The only thing I'd watch out for is dating scene. Other than that, Definitely worth checking out..
30 upvotes
Waylon Brown
I've lived in Old Town for about 4 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it exceeded my expectations. When I first moved here from LA, I was surprised by housing market. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Close to major attractions
- The pet-friendliness scene is excellent
The downsides:
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
- Road conditions need improvement
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for remote workers. Good luck with whatever you decide..
27 upvotes
Charlotte S.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value public transit, you'll love it. The traffic is genuinely hit or miss and I've found it's been a really good experience overall. My neighborhood (South) is established and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Nashville, be prepared for the culture shock. healthcare is completely different here. And Traffic during rush hour is rough.
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
Theodore P.
it depends on the neighborhood
19 upvotes
Weston James
My experience has been mostly positive. the quality of life is solid. The only thing I'd watch out for is healthcare. Other than that, It's not for everyone but it works for us..
17 upvotes
Leah Martin
big facts right here
15 upvotes
Everett Peterson
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a marketing manager, 47, moved here 13 years ago from Minneapolis. I've lived in Maple Ridge and North, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Nice parks and green spaces
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Urban sprawl is real
2. Dating scene is rough
3. The safety situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Maple Ridge: Great for couples. average vibes, walkable.
- North: 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 Minneapolis, everything felt underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $70K-$120K here.
**Final verdict:**
Good luck with whatever you decide.. 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.
14 upvotes
Waylon A.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a marketing manager, 47, moved here 3 years ago from Phoenix. I've lived in East and Old Town, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good healthcare facilities
2. Lots of new development happening
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally average - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Limited high-paying job options
3. The public transit situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- East: Great for singles. decent vibes, walkable.
- Old Town: 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 Phoenix, everything felt decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $80K-$130K here.
**Final verdict:**
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. 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.
10 upvotes
Charlotte P.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a software engineer, 33, moved here 14 years ago from Chicago. I've lived in Sunset and Uptown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Lots of new development happening
3. Close to major attractions
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The public transit situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Sunset: Great for retirees. pretty good vibes, walkable.
- Uptown: 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 Chicago, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $60K-$90K here.
**Final verdict:**
No regrets on my end.. 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.
9 upvotes
Liam Smith
Weather-wise, the summers are excellent and winters are competitive. You get used to it after the first year.
8 upvotes
urban_william43
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 11 years. Moved from Denver for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is challenging. 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 2-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
finance is strong here. tech is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are reasonable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
the quality of life is solid. The outdoor scene is excellent - 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. 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. Rising rent and home prices. Far from beaches/mountains. And weather can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 5/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
8 upvotes
Piper
Moved here from Seattle about 12 years ago. it exceeded my expectations. Still getting used to public transit but It's not for everyone but it works for us..
6 upvotes
Jacob B.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a contractor who relocated here from Tampa about 13 years ago. The main reasons were a job opportunity and a fresh start.
Pros I've experienced:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Four distinct seasons
Cons that are real:
- Nightlife is limited
- Homeless population growing downtown
Financially, we've found it average compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are developing, gas is underrated.
Socially, the quality of life is solid. Feel free to reach out with questions..
6 upvotes
Nolan H.
Moved here from Baltimore about 8 years ago. it's not perfect but it works for me. Still getting used to dating scene but Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
3 upvotes
Leo Cooper
Can confirm, been here 8 years.
3 upvotes
Willie C.
The food scene here is decent. Tons of great sushi places. it's been a really good experience overall.
3 upvotes
Camila Jones
I work in manufacturing here and it's been a really good experience overall. The job market for my field is better than expected. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
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