Alright, I grew up here but left for a while. The unemployment rate is 3.5%, which is pretty low. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Am I overthinking this? Night life is decent if you know the right spots.
17 upvotes
11 Replies
Ruby
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are surprisingly good, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
39 upvotes
Ethan Jones
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem improving.
I've been here 10 years and it's been a really good experience overall. The thing nobody mentions is cost of living. It's wild and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the job market is legit. And if you're into skiing, this place is average.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Springfield side vs the Eastside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
39 upvotes
Henry Thompson
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it exceeded my expectations. Happy to answer more specific questions..
32 upvotes
Zoey
I work in manufacturing here and it's exactly what I was looking for. The job market for my field is improving. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
27 upvotes
Avery Kim
couldn't agree more
24 upvotes
Logan Wood
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is pet-friendliness. it exceeded my expectations. Worth doing your research before committing.
22 upvotes
Rylee Collins
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a nurse, 28, moved here 2 years ago from New York. I've lived in Lakewood and Greenfield, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Good schools in most areas
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Can feel isolated
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The nightlife situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Lakewood: Great for young professionals. better than expected vibes, walkable.
- Greenfield: 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 New York, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $80K-$100K here.
**Final verdict:**
Feel free to reach out with questions.. 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.
22 upvotes
Serenity
this is the way
18 upvotes
urban_mia52
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 1 years. Moved from Baltimore for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is pretty good. We bought in 2019 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
engineering is strong here. engineering 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:**
it's improved dramatically in recent years. The outdoor scene is underrated - 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. Limited public transit options. Not a lot of cultural diversity. And traffic can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 7/10. Would recommend to anyone considering it.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
16 upvotes
Jonathan Bailey
Moved here from San Diego about 7 years ago. I love the pace of life here. Still getting used to outdoor recreation but Happy to answer more specific questions..
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