OK so Rent is about $970/month for a decent place. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The city has invested a lot in new development. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. The food scene here is surprisingly good. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look.
0 upvotes
14 Replies
Avery Davis
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I love the pace of life here. Internet is excellent in most areas.
38 upvotes
Nicholas Perez
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value traffic, you'll love it. The cost of living is genuinely pretty good and I've found it was the best decision I ever made. My neighborhood (East) is competitive and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Miami, be prepared for the culture shock. cost of living 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.
34 upvotes
Liam Peterson
big facts right here
29 upvotes
Rylee Cook
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a social worker, 38, moved here 15 years ago from Chicago. I've lived in Pine Hills and Maple Ridge, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Low crime in most neighborhoods
3. Strong job market in several industries
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Not a lot of cultural diversity
3. The school system situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Pine Hills: Great for remote workers. better than expected vibes, walkable.
- Maple Ridge: 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 Chicago, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $70K-$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.
18 upvotes
miamichef2020
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a accountant, 46, moved here 6 years ago from San Diego. I've lived in Pine Hills and Fairview, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Low crime in most neighborhoods
2. Good healthcare facilities
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The housing market situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Pine Hills: Great for retirees. surprisingly good vibes, walkable.
- Fairview: 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 San Diego, everything felt improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $90K-$70K here.
**Final verdict:**
Hope this helps!. 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.
15 upvotes
Everly Hernandez
Came here for retirement and stayed because I genuinely enjoy living here. The safety is honestly tough and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
13 upvotes
Valentina Richardson
interesting, hadn't considered that
13 upvotes
Liam Patel
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 10 years. Moved from Salt Lake City for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is decent. We bought in 2021 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
education is strong here. legal is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are pricey for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it exceeded my expectations. The outdoor scene is excellent - we have state parks 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 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. Limited entertainment options. Far from beaches/mountains. And public transit can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 9/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
9 upvotes
Addison Wilson
Hot take but I love the pace of life here. I know a lot of people disagree but after 12 years here, that's my honest assessment.
7 upvotes
Lucy A.
Hot take but it's improved dramatically in recent years. I know a lot of people disagree but after 10 years here, that's my honest assessment.
6 upvotes
Adrian Nguyen
lol so true
6 upvotes
Maya Young
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a electrician who relocated here from Atlanta about 7 years ago. The main reasons were my partner's job and work.
Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Close to major attractions
Cons that are real:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Chain restaurants dominate
Financially, we've found it challenging compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are pricey, gas is tough.
Socially, the quality of life is solid. Feel free to reach out with questions..
5 upvotes
Ruby
Public transit is underrated here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now.
1 upvotes
sddude2020
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem improving.
I've been here 15 years and it exceeded my expectations. The thing nobody mentions is community vibe. It's wild and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the walkability is legit. And if you're into fishing, this place is better than expected.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The West side vs the Greenfield side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
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