Been meaning to ask this. I'm retired and Median household income is $33,522, which feels on the lower side for the area. The unemployment rate is 4.2%, which is about average. Homes are going for about $87,800 on average. You can expect to pay around $795 for rent here. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Is this normal for Forrest City?
13 upvotes
10 Replies
Wyatt Ward
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 14 years. Moved from Tampa for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is average. We bought in 2017 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. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
real estate is strong here. real estate is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are developing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it exceeded my expectations. The outdoor scene is decent - we have beaches 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 challenging. 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. Road conditions need improvement. And nightlife can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 8/10. It's not for everyone but it works for us.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
35 upvotes
Piper Gomez
hard disagree but ok
24 upvotes
Autumn Scott
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want outdoor recreation, then yeah this place is great. But if food scene matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
23 upvotes
Logan E.
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 2-bedroom. the quality of life is solid. Compared to San Francisco it's average.
18 upvotes
Everett R.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 13 years ago from Charlotte and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Eastside. It's decent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in healthcare. If you're in government you might struggle.
People: Generally solid. It took about 3 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like farm-to-table.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
16 upvotes
Victoria W.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Lakewood for 12 years. Moved from Salt Lake City for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is improving. We bought in 2017 at k and it's now worth up a bit 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:**
construction is strong here. engineering is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are developing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's exactly what I was looking for. The outdoor scene is excellent - we have biking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Lakewood schools are excellent. 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. Property taxes are high. And community vibe can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 9/10. Definitely worth checking out.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
12 upvotes
Hailey Jones
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a lawyer who relocated here from Charlotte about 14 years ago. The main reasons were a job opportunity and family.
Pros I've experienced:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Strong job market in several industries
- Lots of new development happening
Cons that are real:
- Road conditions need improvement
- Homeless population growing downtown
Financially, we've found it improving compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are affordable, gas is pretty good.
Socially, I have mixed feelings honestly. Definitely worth checking out..
9 upvotes
Matthew
100%
8 upvotes
Naomi Chavez
Weather-wise, the summers are solid and winters are affordable. You get used to it after the first year.
1 upvotes
Ezra Long
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a physical therapist who relocated here from San Francisco about 14 years ago. The main reasons were work and retirement.
Pros I've experienced:
- Four distinct seasons
- Diverse dining options
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Limited high-paying job options
Financially, we've found it excellent compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are developing, gas is pretty good.
Socially, I genuinely enjoy living here. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
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