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boston_owen housing

First time home buyer in East Highland Park

Alright, I've been here for 15 years and With a population of 16,071, East Highland Park is a small town. You can expect to pay around $1,238 for rent here. Poverty rate is 8.8%, which is pretty low. Median household income is $69,750, which feels about average for the area. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The city has invested a lot in new development. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable.

Pros:
- Great weather
- Good schools
- Easy commute
- Walkable downtown
- Good internet infrastructure

Cons:
- Not very walkable
- Boring for young people
- Poor road conditions
- Not enough green space
Worth the trade-offs? Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The weather takes some getting used to. The city has invested a lot in new development. The city has invested a lot in new development. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. The suburbs are where most families end up. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. The city has invested a lot in new development. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The weather takes some getting used to. The weather takes some getting used to. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The city has invested a lot in new development. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level.
2 upvotes

7 Replies

Brielle Flores
Hot take but it's not perfect but it works for me. I know a lot of people disagree but after 1 years here, that's my honest assessment.
40 upvotes
Ethan Lee
same here
23 upvotes
Aaron Cruz
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 3 years. Moved from Atlanta for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:

**Housing:**
The market right now is hit or miss. We bought in 2024 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.

**Employment:**
education is strong here. manufacturing 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:**
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The outdoor scene is excellent - we have biking trails 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 tough. 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. Road conditions need improvement. Dating scene is rough. And safety can be frustrating.

**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 7/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
23 upvotes
caleb_papa
underrated comment
16 upvotes
Nevaeh
exactly what I was thinking
6 upvotes
Isabelle Kelly
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's not perfect but it works for me. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
3 upvotes
Isla Watson
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.

I've been in Greenfield for 11 years. Moved from Minneapolis for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:

**Housing:**
The market right now is challenging. We bought in 2019 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.

**Employment:**
education is strong here. construction is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are established for the area.

**Quality of Life:**
I love the pace of life here. The outdoor scene is solid - we have mountains within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.

**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Greenfield schools are better than expected. 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. Not a lot of cultural diversity. Limited entertainment options. And school system 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.
0 upvotes
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