My family moved here when I was a kid. Homes are going for about $609,700 on average. Crime rate is something to consider -Durango sits at 389.2 per 100K. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Am I wrong here? Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods.
0 upvotes
15 Replies
Hudson A.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 3 years ago from Raleigh and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Old Town. It's solid for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in retail. If you're in healthcare you might struggle.
People: Generally improving. It took about 13 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: decent. Tons of options if you like Thai.
No regrets on my end..
39 upvotes
matthew_lover
same here
37 upvotes
Aiden Parker
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a sales manager, 43, moved here 9 years ago from Baltimore. I've lived in Pine Hills and Highland, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not very walkable outside downtown
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The cultural scene situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Pine Hills: Great for young professionals. improving vibes, walkable.
- Highland: 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 Baltimore, everything felt underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $90K-$150K 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.
36 upvotes
raleigh_abigail
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a social worker who relocated here from Boston about 9 years ago. The main reasons were school and school.
Pros I've experienced:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Strong job market in several industries
- Lots of new development happening
Cons that are real:
- Limited entertainment options
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Financially, we've found it better than expected compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are affordable, gas is surprisingly good.
Socially, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
35 upvotes
Axel Martin
Totally agree!
35 upvotes
Samuel R.
100%
28 upvotes
Hailey B.
Hot take but it's improved dramatically in recent years. I know a lot of people disagree but after 6 years here, that's my honest assessment.
28 upvotes
Rylee Ramos
couldn't agree more
27 upvotes
Roman Jones
I've lived in Oak Park for about 9 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it was the best decision I ever made. When I first moved here from Baltimore, I was surprised by food scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Lots of new development happening
- Four distinct seasons
- The nightlife scene is excellent
The downsides:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Urban sprawl is real
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for young professionals. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
26 upvotes
Jackson Wilson
I've been living here for 12 years and I'd say there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The school system is excellent compared to other places I've lived. Overall Good luck with whatever you decide..
21 upvotes
Ella Clark
We moved here with our family and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Schools in Fairview area are better than expected. Kids love it here.
14 upvotes
Owen Thomas
I'm a software engineer and I've found it exceeded my expectations. The community is decent and there's always something going on.
6 upvotes
Arianna Evans
Moved here from Seattle about 12 years ago. it's exactly what I was looking for. Still getting used to cost of living but Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
4 upvotes
Maya Peterson
Used to live on the Midtown side, now on the Riverside side. Completely different vibe. I'm still on the fence after all this time.
2 upvotes
peyton_life
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem tough.
I've been here 12 years and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The thing nobody mentions is safety. It's developing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the food scene is legit. And if you're into kayaking, this place is excellent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Greenfield side vs the Eastside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
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