Hey, I work in construction and Median household income is $63,745, which feels about average for the area. Crime rate is something to consider -Farmington sits at 664.6 per 100K. Homes are going for about $225,400 on average. The city has invested a lot in new development. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Has anyone dealt with this? Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The weather takes some getting used to. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look.
26 upvotes
7 Replies
Abigail Nguyen
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want dating scene, then yeah this place is great. But if weather matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
35 upvotes
Thomas Cooper
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 4 years. Moved from Charlotte for work. 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 4-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
tech is strong here. real estate 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:**
it exceeded my expectations. The outdoor scene is better than expected - 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. Not a lot of cultural diversity. Homeless population growing downtown. And walkability can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 5/10. Hope this helps!. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
33 upvotes
Valentina H.
Came here for cost of living and stayed because I have mixed feelings honestly. The cultural scene is honestly pretty good and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
32 upvotes
Bella Diaz
Hot take but it was the best decision I ever made. I know a lot of people disagree but after 2 years here, that's my honest assessment.
28 upvotes
Isaiah Price
exactly what I was thinking
23 upvotes
Quinn King
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a nurse, 55, moved here 9 years ago from Atlanta. I've lived in Fairview and Riverside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Nice parks and green spaces
3. Decent public transit for the size
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Dating scene is rough
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The cultural scene situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Fairview: Great for families. solid 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 Atlanta, everything felt challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $90K-$80K 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.
12 upvotes
Isabelle H.
My experience has been mostly positive. I love the pace of life here. The only thing I'd watch out for is food scene. Other than that, No regrets on my end..
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