Military spouse here. With a population of 15,273, Franklin Park is a small town. You can expect to pay around $2,063 for rent here. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Is this normal for Franklin Park?
2 upvotes
12 Replies
brielle_chef
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 10 years ago from LA and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Uptown. It's solid for what you get.
Jobs: The market is reasonable right now, especially in retail. If you're in marketing you might struggle.
People: Generally solid. It took about 15 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: excellent. Tons of options if you like Italian.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
37 upvotes
Parker Hughes
thanks for sharing
35 upvotes
phoenix_asher
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a contractor who relocated here from Austin about 11 years ago. The main reasons were my partner's job and a job opportunity.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good schools in most areas
- Lots of new development happening
- Affordable housing options
Cons that are real:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Road conditions need improvement
Financially, we've found it pretty good compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are stable, gas is decent.
Socially, it's improved dramatically in recent years. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
27 upvotes
Alexander Jackson
As someone who grew up here, it's improved dramatically in recent years. A lot has changed in the past few years though. food scene used to be much established but now it's excellent.
22 upvotes
Emilia W.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 2 years ago from Baltimore and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Old Town. It's hit or miss for what you get.
Jobs: The market is manageable right now, especially in finance. If you're in legal you might struggle.
People: Generally average. It took about 6 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: average. Tons of options if you like farm-to-table.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
20 upvotes
Claire
I'm a teacher and I've found I'm still on the fence after all this time. The community is solid and there's always something going on.
18 upvotes
Daniel Roberts
I've lived in South for about 7 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it was the best decision I ever made. When I first moved here from San Francisco, I was surprised by school system. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- The housing market scene is improving
The downsides:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Homeless population growing downtown
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for couples. Hope this helps!.
16 upvotes
David W.
seconding this
15 upvotes
Stella D.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I genuinely enjoy living here. Internet is surprisingly good in most areas.
10 upvotes
Alexa Bailey
good to know, thanks
9 upvotes
sdheart2025
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a chef, 24, moved here 2 years ago from Salt Lake City. I've lived in The Heights and Lakewood, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Friendly community, easy to meet people
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited shopping options
2. Dating scene is rough
3. The nightlife situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- The Heights: Great for families. excellent vibes, walkable.
- Lakewood: 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 Salt Lake City, everything felt better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $50K-$150K here.
**Final verdict:**
Good luck with whatever you decide.. 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.
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