Hey folks, Median household income is $24,305, which feels on the lower side for the area. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Any advice would be great.
15 upvotes
13 Replies
Caroline Long
Bought a house here in 2016 and it's exactly what I was looking for. Property values have gone about the same since then.
39 upvotes
Josiah Young
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a real estate agent, 35, moved here 14 years ago from Phoenix. I've lived in Eastside and Old Town, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Low crime in most neighborhoods
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Property taxes are high
3. The food scene situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Eastside: Great for young professionals. tough vibes, walkable.
- Old Town: 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 Phoenix, everything felt decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $50K-$140K 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.
39 upvotes
Ryan L.
Saving this thread
37 upvotes
Jonathan
Bought a house here in 2017 and it's exactly what I was looking for. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
33 upvotes
Owen Kim
big facts right here
32 upvotes
Roman Martinez
Weather-wise, the summers are average and winters are pricey. You get used to it after the first year.
24 upvotes
Sarah Ruiz
The food scene here is improving. Tons of great Thai places. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now.
15 upvotes
Olivia
Moved here from Baltimore about 2 years ago. I genuinely enjoy living here. Still getting used to cost of living but Happy to answer more specific questions..
13 upvotes
Mary R.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Highland for 14 years. Moved from Austin for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is hit or miss. We bought in 2016 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
government is strong here. healthcare 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:**
it's not perfect but it works for me. The outdoor scene is tough - we have ski resorts within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Highland 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. Chain restaurants dominate. Far from beaches/mountains. And cultural scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 7/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
12 upvotes
Connor R.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a teacher, 29, moved here 11 years ago from Miami. I've lived in Meadowbrook and Pine Hills, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Decent public transit for the size
2. Close to major attractions
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The food scene situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Meadowbrook: Great for young professionals. hit or miss vibes, walkable.
- Pine Hills: 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 Miami, everything felt tough. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $40K-$100K here.
**Final verdict:**
Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. 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.
10 upvotes
Mia Nguyen
I work in healthcare here and I love the pace of life here. The job market for my field is improving. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
4 upvotes
Weston Gonzalez
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 Atlanta for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is solid. We bought in 2019 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. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
hospitality is strong here. real estate 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 have mixed feelings honestly. The outdoor scene is improving - 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. Oak Park 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. Can feel isolated. Bugs and humidity in summer. And cost of living can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 5/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
3 upvotes
Wesley Morris
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value traffic, you'll love it. The cultural scene is genuinely improving and I've found I genuinely enjoy living here. My neighborhood (The Heights) is affordable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Nashville, be prepared for the culture shock. nightlife is completely different here. And Not very walkable outside downtown.
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.
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