Hey everyone, Average temperature is around 67--F, so the weather is moderate. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Any advice would be great. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus.
11 upvotes
9 Replies
James B.
underrated comment
38 upvotes
Evan Robinson
underrated comment
35 upvotes
Hunter R.
I've been living here for 8 years and I'd say I genuinely enjoy living here. The cost of living is excellent compared to other places I've lived. Overall Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
35 upvotes
Valentina Allen
hmm interesting perspective
30 upvotes
Serenity Watson
100%
27 upvotes
jose_guy
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 9 years ago from Miami and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in East. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in construction. If you're in finance you might struggle.
People: Generally improving. It took about 9 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: surprisingly good. Tons of options if you like Italian.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
25 upvotes
Eugene W.
Moved here from Boston about 11 years ago. it's improved dramatically in recent years. Still getting used to outdoor recreation but Hope this helps!.
17 upvotes
David Richardson
I've been living here for 9 years and I'd say I have mixed feelings honestly. The cultural scene is improving compared to other places I've lived. Overall No regrets on my end..
15 upvotes
mountain_thomas50
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 9 years. Moved from Seattle for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is decent. We bought in 2018 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
manufacturing is strong here. education is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are affordable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The outdoor scene is tough - we have hiking 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 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. Summers can be brutally hot. Rising rent and home prices. And nightlife can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 7/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
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