Longtime lurker here, I'm a 48-year-old marketing manager and Median household income is $49,432, which feels on the lower side for the area. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Am I wrong here? The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods.
2 upvotes
15 Replies
Jeremiah B.
My experience has been mostly positive. I genuinely enjoy living here. The only thing I'd watch out for is public transit. Other than that, Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
40 upvotes
Caleb Lopez
preach
35 upvotes
Elizabeth Jones
I've lived in Oak Park for about 11 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's not perfect but it works for me. When I first moved here from Seattle, I was surprised by dating scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Good healthcare facilities
- The nightlife scene is excellent
The downsides:
- Winters are long and cold
- Property taxes are high
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for retirees. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
34 upvotes
Ellie R.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Lakewood for 5 years. Moved from Atlanta for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is pretty good. We bought in 2022 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
construction is strong here. engineering is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are reasonable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I'm still on the fence after all this time. The outdoor scene is underrated - 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. Lakewood 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. Not very walkable outside downtown. Limited high-paying job options. And weather can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 7/10. It's not for everyone but it works for us.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
28 upvotes
chicago_aria
Used to live on the Riverside side, now on the Maple Ridge side. Completely different vibe. it's been a really good experience overall.
27 upvotes
Lucas Baker
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want weather, then yeah this place is great. But if healthcare matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
25 upvotes
Abigail Green
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 2-bedroom. it's exactly what I was looking for. Compared to Charlotte it's challenging.
23 upvotes
Willow Gonzalez
thanks for sharing
16 upvotes
Jayden Flores
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 4-bedroom. it's exactly what I was looking for. Compared to Nashville it's solid.
11 upvotes
Abigail Ruiz
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Cedar Grove for 14 years. Moved from Charlotte for family. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is improving. We bought in 2015 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. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
finance is strong here. finance is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are manageable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The outdoor scene is better than expected - 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. Cedar Grove 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. Nightlife is limited. Urban sprawl is real. And cultural scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 7/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
11 upvotes
lake_riley16
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value traffic, you'll love it. The safety is genuinely average and I've found the quality of life is solid. My neighborhood (South) is stable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Raleigh, be prepared for the culture shock. traffic is completely different here. And Traffic during rush hour is rough.
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.
10 upvotes
Chloe Wright
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a sales manager, 34, moved here 9 years ago from Baltimore. I've lived in Greenfield and Midtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Nice parks and green spaces
3. Good internet infrastructure
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Property taxes are high
2. Not a lot of cultural diversity
3. The safety situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Greenfield: Great for singles. improving vibes, walkable.
- Midtown: 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 growing. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $80K-$120K 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.
7 upvotes
Alexa Smith
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..
6 upvotes
Nathan Rodriguez
Came here for quality of life and stayed because I love the pace of life here. The community vibe is honestly tough and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
6 upvotes
Everly M.
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is traffic. I love the pace of life here. Worth doing your research before committing.
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