Been meaning to ask this. Born and raised here. The unemployment rate is 4.1%, which is about average. Crime rate is something to consider -French Valley sits at 62.7 per 100K. It's a a smaller city city with about 42,550 people. Rent is about $3,016/month for a decent place. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The food scene here is surprisingly good. I'd say it's better for families than young singles.
29 upvotes
13 Replies
Easton W.
Moved here from Charlotte about 7 years ago. I have mixed feelings honestly. Still getting used to cost of living but Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
30 upvotes
Maya Cox
hmm interesting perspective
28 upvotes
Elijah Ruiz
Saving this thread
27 upvotes
Connor Carter
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 7 years. Moved from Tampa for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is solid. We bought in 2016 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
engineering 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:**
it's not perfect but it works for me. The outdoor scene is decent - we have ski resorts 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 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. Urban sprawl is real. Chain restaurants dominate. And job market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 5/10. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
24 upvotes
sf_isaac
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 3-bedroom. it exceeded my expectations. Compared to Minneapolis it's improving.
22 upvotes
Oliver C.
Used to live on the Midtown side, now on the Highland side. Completely different vibe. it's been a really good experience overall.
21 upvotes
Eleanor Morales
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. dating scene used to be much established but now it's solid.
20 upvotes
Chloe Price
exactly what I was thinking
16 upvotes
Brielle C.
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are hit or miss, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
16 upvotes
Clara Long
We moved here with our family and I'm still on the fence after all this time. Schools in South area are solid. Kids love it here.
12 upvotes
Theodore Jones
Hot take but I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. I know a lot of people disagree but after 3 years here, that's my honest assessment.
11 upvotes
Valentina Foster
nah I disagree
6 upvotes
Cooper Richardson
Came here for retirement and stayed because I have mixed feelings honestly. The school system is honestly hit or miss and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
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