OK so I'm retired and Household incomes average around $163,644 in Erie. The food scene here is surprisingly good. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Property taxes are high but you get good services. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The suburbs are where most families end up. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting.
3 upvotes
14 Replies
Autumn T.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value safety, you'll love it. The traffic is genuinely underrated and I've found it's exactly what I was looking for. My neighborhood (Midtown) is stable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from San Francisco, be prepared for the culture shock. outdoor recreation is completely different here. And Summers can be brutally hot.
My advice would be to visit for at least a week before committing. Rent first, don't buy. And explore multiple neighborhoods - they're all different.
27 upvotes
Elizabeth Myers
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem improving.
I've been here 6 years and it's exactly what I was looking for. The thing nobody mentions is public transit. It's affordable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the walkability is legit. And if you're into biking, this place is improving.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Springfield side vs the Oak Park side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Definitely worth checking out..
25 upvotes
Elizabeth Ramirez
Hot take but it's been a really good experience overall. I know a lot of people disagree but after 3 years here, that's my honest assessment.
24 upvotes
Scarlett Myers
I'm a data analyst and I've found it's improved dramatically in recent years. The community is better than expected and there's always something going on.
23 upvotes
Landon Mitchell
Public transit is underrated here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it was the best decision I ever made.
20 upvotes
Jace Long
underrated comment
18 upvotes
Cora Campbell
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Fairview for 13 years. Moved from Raleigh for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is underrated. We bought in 2015 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
marketing is strong here. government 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 have mixed feelings honestly. The outdoor scene is better than expected - we have rivers 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 solid. 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. Urban sprawl is real. Not a lot of cultural diversity. And food scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 6/10. Would recommend to anyone considering it.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
16 upvotes
Liam Gutierrez
literally same
15 upvotes
Genesis Peterson
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..
15 upvotes
Christian Richardson
Came here for my partner's job and stayed because I genuinely enjoy living here. The traffic is honestly decent and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
14 upvotes
Jacob R.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a writer who relocated here from Seattle about 7 years ago. The main reasons were quality of life and retirement.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Lots of new development happening
Cons that are real:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Can feel isolated
Financially, we've found it pretty good compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are developing, gas is underrated.
Socially, it was the best decision I ever made. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
14 upvotes
Caroline
I've lived in Oak Park for about 15 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I love the pace of life here. When I first moved here from Tampa, I was surprised by job market. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Nice parks and green spaces
- The job market scene is solid
The downsides:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Far from beaches/mountains
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for families. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
9 upvotes
Hazel Flores
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value healthcare, you'll love it. The traffic is genuinely hit or miss and I've found I genuinely enjoy living here. My neighborhood (Springfield) is pricey and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Salt Lake City, be prepared for the culture shock. housing market is completely different here. And Limited public transit options.
My advice would be to visit for at least a week before committing. Rent first, don't buy. And explore multiple neighborhoods - they're all different.
5 upvotes
Rylee Davis
Came here for family and stayed because I genuinely enjoy living here. The school system is honestly hit or miss and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
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