First post here. I'm a college student here and It's a a smaller city city with about 43,168 people. With a population of 43,168, Delaware is a smaller city. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Am I overthinking this? It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level.
29 upvotes
13 Replies
cool_isabelle32
This.
37 upvotes
evelyn_papa
underrated comment
36 upvotes
Quinn G.
glad someone said it
33 upvotes
Jack T.
This.
28 upvotes
Joan N.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a sales manager, 33, moved here 1 years ago from Phoenix. I've lived in Fairview and Lakewood, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Lots of new development happening
3. Close to major attractions
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not a lot of cultural diversity
2. Chain restaurants dominate
3. The pet-friendliness situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Fairview: Great for couples. better than expected vibes, walkable.
- Lakewood: 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 manageable. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $90K-$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.
26 upvotes
Daniel C.
+1
22 upvotes
Landon Long
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are decent, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
20 upvotes
Cameron Roberts
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem average.
I've been here 14 years and it's been a really good experience overall. The thing nobody mentions is job market. It's affordable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cultural scene is legit. And if you're into mountain biking, this place is pretty good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Old Town side vs the Sunset side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
17 upvotes
Jack
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is food scene. it exceeded my expectations. Worth doing your research before committing.
16 upvotes
Alice Martin
wish I knew this sooner
12 upvotes
Addison
I've lived in Oak Park for about 1 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's improved dramatically in recent years. When I first moved here from Chicago, I was surprised by community vibe. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good schools in most areas
- Strong job market in several industries
- The nightlife scene is better than expected
The downsides:
- Winters are long and cold
- Nightlife is limited
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for families. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
6 upvotes
Cooper Cooper
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I genuinely enjoy living here. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
4 upvotes
Henry Brown
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 3-bedroom. it was the best decision I ever made. Compared to Houston it's average.
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