Not sure if this has been asked before, but Average temperature is around 53--F, so expect cold winters. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Worth the trade-offs? The food scene here is surprisingly good. The weather takes some getting used to.
12 upvotes
6 Replies
Wyatt Parker
Public transit is surprisingly good here. You'll probably need a car for most things. the quality of life is solid.
40 upvotes
Dominic H.
The food scene here is underrated. Tons of great Korean places. it exceeded my expectations.
23 upvotes
Leo T.
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 Raleigh for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is hit or miss. We bought in 2017 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
education is strong here. engineering 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:**
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The outdoor scene is improving - we have rivers 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 average. 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. Rising rent and home prices. Can feel isolated. And walkability can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 8/10. Hope this helps!. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
22 upvotes
Anna F.
Bought a house here in 2016 and I'm still on the fence after all this time. Property values have gone up significantly since then.
6 upvotes
Leonardo G.
As someone who grew up here, it exceeded my expectations. A lot has changed in the past few years though. safety used to be much stable but now it's challenging.
6 upvotes
mountain_liam32
As someone who grew up here, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. A lot has changed in the past few years though. nightlife used to be much wild but now it's better than expected.
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