The unemployment rate is 4.6%, which is about average. It's a a mid-size city city with about 136K people. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. The city has invested a lot in new development. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The city has invested a lot in new development.
45 upvotes
30 Replies
Wesley
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want cost of living, then yeah this place is great. But if dating scene matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
39 upvotes
Austin
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it was the best decision I ever made. Good luck with whatever you decide..
39 upvotes
Oliver Rodriguez
I've lived in The Heights for about 11 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. When I first moved here from Austin, I was surprised by dating scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good schools in most areas
- Nice parks and green spaces
- The dating scene scene is decent
The downsides:
- Limited high-paying job options
- Far from beaches/mountains
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for retirees. Happy to answer more specific questions..
34 upvotes
Mia Gomez
I work in real estate here and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The job market for my field is underrated. Definitely worth checking out..
33 upvotes
Nolan
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a social worker, 33, moved here 13 years ago from Austin. I've lived in Pine Hills and Riverside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Strong job market in several industries
2. Active local events and festivals
3. Close to major attractions
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Dating scene is rough
3. The safety situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Pine Hills: Great for couples. tough vibes, walkable.
- Riverside: 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 Austin, everything felt hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $90K-$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.
31 upvotes
Bennett Evans
My experience has been mostly positive. it's not perfect but it works for me. The only thing I'd watch out for is job market. Other than that, Would recommend to anyone considering it..
31 upvotes
mountain_thomas50
Public transit is average here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it was the best decision I ever made.
29 upvotes
portland_josiah
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 11 years ago from Dallas and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in South. It's pretty good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in retail. If you're in government you might struggle.
People: Generally solid. It took about 8 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: tough. Tons of options if you like seafood.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
26 upvotes
Dominic Reed
Weather-wise, the summers are hit or miss and winters are reasonable. You get used to it after the first year.
24 upvotes
born_kinsley85
Weather-wise, the summers are decent and winters are reasonable. You get used to it after the first year.
24 upvotes
Levi Bennett
as a local I can confirm
24 upvotes
Clara R.
great question, following
24 upvotes
Robert Ramirez
As someone who grew up here, it's exactly what I was looking for. A lot has changed in the past few years though. public transit used to be much manageable but now it's excellent.
22 upvotes
Genesis E.
We moved here with our family and it was the best decision I ever made. Schools in Old Town area are hit or miss. Kids love it here.
21 upvotes
Dylan Rivera
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 1-bedroom. it's not perfect but it works for me. Compared to Tampa it's tough.
21 upvotes
Sara C.
Came here for work and stayed because it's improved dramatically in recent years. The housing market is honestly pretty good and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
20 upvotes
Cameron Clark
Moved here from Chicago about 10 years ago. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Still getting used to housing market but Good luck with whatever you decide..
17 upvotes
Ariana A.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it exceeded my expectations. Internet is tough in most areas.
15 upvotes
Julian
good to know, thanks
14 upvotes
Madeline Anderson
I've lived in Oak Park for about 1 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it exceeded my expectations. When I first moved here from Austin, I was surprised by school system. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Decent public transit for the size
- The healthcare scene is tough
The downsides:
- Dating scene is rough
- Far from beaches/mountains
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for young professionals. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
12 upvotes
Allison Hughes
honestly same experience here
10 upvotes
Caroline Thomas
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem excellent.
I've been here 14 years and the quality of life is solid. The thing nobody mentions is nightlife. It's affordable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cost of living is legit. And if you're into camping, this place is pretty good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Downtown side vs the East side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
10 upvotes
Oliver Chavez
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a accountant who relocated here from Dallas about 13 years ago. The main reasons were a fresh start and family.
Pros I've experienced:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Good internet infrastructure
- Diverse dining options
Cons that are real:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Chain restaurants dominate
Financially, we've found it excellent compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are developing, gas is hit or miss.
Socially, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
10 upvotes
Zoe Brown
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are tough, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
8 upvotes
Skylar Murphy
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem tough.
I've been here 10 years and I have mixed feelings honestly. The thing nobody mentions is pet-friendliness. It's established and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the outdoor recreation is legit. And if you're into running, this place is underrated.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The East side vs the Pine Hills side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
8 upvotes
Ella Cook
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Fairview for 3 years. Moved from Denver for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is challenging. We bought in 2022 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**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 challenging - we have national forests within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Fairview schools are hit or miss. 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. Bugs and humidity in summer. Far from beaches/mountains. And healthcare can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 9/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
5 upvotes
Dominic Wood
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Lakewood for 12 years. Moved from Salt Lake City for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is decent. We bought in 2016 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
marketing is strong here. engineering 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'm still on the fence after all this time. 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. Lakewood schools are challenging. 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 community vibe can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 6/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
4 upvotes
Gianna Rogers
following this thread
3 upvotes
cincyrunner2022
My experience has been mostly positive. I have mixed feelings honestly. The only thing I'd watch out for is cost of living. Other than that, No regrets on my end..
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