OK so I'm a 46-year-old teacher and The median home value here is around $125,400, which is actually reasonable. Rent is about $830/month for a decent place. Median household income is $58,359, which feels about average for the area. Homes are going for about $125,400 on average. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Any advice would be great. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable.
8 upvotes
8 Replies
Claire Foster
Hot take but it's been a really good experience overall. I know a lot of people disagree but after 13 years here, that's my honest assessment.
40 upvotes
Caroline Moore
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a contractor, 38, moved here 12 years ago from New York. I've lived in Meadowbrook and Greenfield, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Low crime in most neighborhoods
2. Four distinct seasons
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Rising rent and home prices
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The cultural scene situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Meadowbrook: Great for couples. better than expected 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 New York, everything felt better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $40K-$100K 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.
35 upvotes
Eugene N.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want nightlife, then yeah this place is great. But if walkability matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
31 upvotes
Hunter Roberts
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 2 years ago from Tampa and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Pine Hills. It's surprisingly good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in healthcare. If you're in marketing you might struggle.
People: Generally tough. It took about 3 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: excellent. Tons of options if you like sushi.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
30 upvotes
Charlotte N.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem challenging.
I've been here 13 years and it's improved dramatically in recent years. The thing nobody mentions is dating scene. It's manageable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the dating scene is legit. And if you're into running, this place is pretty good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Oak Park side vs the Greenfield side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
19 upvotes
Miles F.
haha yep pretty much
16 upvotes
Luca Young
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a teacher, 38, moved here 5 years ago from Pittsburgh. I've lived in Highland and Sunset, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Strong job market in several industries
2. Lots of new development happening
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Chain restaurants dominate
2. Limited shopping options
3. The traffic situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Highland: Great for families. improving vibes, walkable.
- Sunset: 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 Pittsburgh, everything felt tough. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $70K-$130K here.
**Final verdict:**
It's not for everyone but it works for us.. 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.
12 upvotes
Alexa Cooper
Weather-wise, the summers are average and winters are stable. You get used to it after the first year.
All Countries
