I'm a college student here and Homes are going for about $646,300 on average. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Am I wrong here? The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. It's not perfect, but the community is solid.
17 upvotes
30 Replies
Donna L.
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 2-bedroom. it was the best decision I ever made. Compared to Denver it's better than expected.
40 upvotes
Natalie Walker
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value dating scene, you'll love it. The food scene is genuinely challenging and I've found I genuinely enjoy living here. My neighborhood (Sunset) is wild and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Seattle, be prepared for the culture shock. cost of living is completely different here. And Traffic during rush hour is rough.
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.
39 upvotes
Denise N.
My experience has been mostly positive. it's improved dramatically in recent years. The only thing I'd watch out for is outdoor recreation. Other than that, Good luck with whatever you decide..
39 upvotes
Adeline Reyes
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 11 years. Moved from Seattle for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is improving. We bought in 2015 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
tech is strong here. construction is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are affordable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it was the best decision I ever made. The outdoor scene is underrated - 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. Oak Park schools are pretty good. 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. Road conditions need improvement. Far from beaches/mountains. And housing market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 7/10. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
38 upvotes
Leah
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a sales manager, 29, moved here 5 years ago from Charlotte. I've lived in West and Cedar Grove, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Close to major attractions
4. The people are generally average - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Urban sprawl is real
3. The weather situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- West: Great for young professionals. challenging vibes, walkable.
- Cedar Grove: 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 Charlotte, everything felt decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $70K-$120K 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.
38 upvotes
Olivia Diaz
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 3-bedroom. it exceeded my expectations. Compared to Seattle it's hit or miss.
37 upvotes
Oliver R.
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is public transit. it's improved dramatically in recent years. Worth doing your research before committing.
36 upvotes
Ethan G.
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 4-bedroom. the quality of life is solid. Compared to Austin it's average.
36 upvotes
Waylon Garcia
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Sunset for 7 years. Moved from Boston for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is surprisingly good. We bought in 2019 at k and it's now worth up significantly 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:**
legal is strong here. finance is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are reasonable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The outdoor scene is average - 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. Sunset schools are hit or miss. 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. Traffic during rush hour is rough. Summers can be brutally hot. And dating scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 5/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
35 upvotes
Jace Turner
I've been living here for 7 years and I'd say I genuinely enjoy living here. The dating scene is decent compared to other places I've lived. Overall It's not for everyone but it works for us..
34 upvotes
Luke
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.
32 upvotes
Kennedy Peterson
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 9 years ago from Raleigh and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Riverside. It's tough for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in education. If you're in healthcare you might struggle.
People: Generally better than expected. It took about 13 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: underrated. Tons of options if you like Asian.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
30 upvotes
Ezekiel Reyes
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a software engineer who relocated here from Phoenix about 3 years ago. The main reasons were school and retirement.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good healthcare facilities
- Affordable housing options
- Good airport with direct flights
Cons that are real:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Financially, we've found it decent compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are manageable, gas is surprisingly good.
Socially, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
30 upvotes
lake_olivia41
been saying this for years
29 upvotes
Billy J.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem tough.
I've been here 15 years and the quality of life is solid. The thing nobody mentions is housing market. It's affordable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the walkability is legit. And if you're into mountain biking, this place is average.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The The Heights side vs the South side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
25 upvotes
vegasmind2020
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are excellent, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
24 upvotes
Lily Collins
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Highland for 4 years. Moved from Boston for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is solid. We bought in 2017 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
finance is strong here. government is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are stable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's been a really good experience overall. The outdoor scene is better than expected - 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. Highland 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 very walkable outside downtown. And food scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 7/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
22 upvotes
Clara Parker
I've been living here for 13 years and I'd say the quality of life is solid. The cost of living is average compared to other places I've lived. Overall Definitely worth checking out..
21 upvotes
Xavier Chavez
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 4 years ago from Miami and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Uptown. It's better than expected for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in construction. If you're in retail you might struggle.
People: Generally better than expected. It took about 18 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: underrated. Tons of options if you like Southern.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
21 upvotes
Maya N.
facts
21 upvotes
Bella Smith
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value healthcare, you'll love it. The traffic is genuinely improving and I've found I'm still on the fence after all this time. My neighborhood (Downtown) is affordable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Minneapolis, be prepared for the culture shock. school system is completely different here. And Nightlife is limited.
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.
20 upvotes
Ezekiel Anderson
accurate
15 upvotes
Brooklyn
couldn't agree more
11 upvotes
Edward M.
Moved here from Charlotte about 5 years ago. it's improved dramatically in recent years. Still getting used to healthcare but Definitely worth checking out..
10 upvotes
Addison Edwards
accurate
7 upvotes
Noah Moore
exactly what I was thinking
7 upvotes
Maria W.
The food scene here is excellent. Tons of great farm-to-table places. I love the pace of life here.
4 upvotes
Ariana Edwards
We moved here with our family and it was the best decision I ever made. Schools in Pine Hills area are average. Kids love it here.
3 upvotes
Jayden Parker
literally same
2 upvotes
Waylon Walker
Used to live on the Pine Hills side, now on the East side. Completely different vibe. I'm still on the fence after all this time.
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