Curious what people think. I'm retired and Household incomes average around $75,000 in Glen Rose. Average temperature is around 65--F, so the weather is moderate. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The suburbs are where most families end up. Any advice would be great. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much.
1 upvotes
11 Replies
nycfan2026
Hot take but it's improved dramatically in recent years. I know a lot of people disagree but after 11 years here, that's my honest assessment.
40 upvotes
Luna Foster
glad someone said it
36 upvotes
Isla Mendoza
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a electrician, 47, moved here 4 years ago from New York. I've lived in Springfield and The Heights, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Lots of new development happening
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Dating scene is rough
3. The outdoor recreation situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Springfield: Great for young professionals. solid vibes, walkable.
- The Heights: 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 New York, everything felt better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $50K-$140K 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.
36 upvotes
Abigail Morris
I work in consulting here and it's not perfect but it works for me. The job market for my field is decent. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
30 upvotes
Julian J.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a real estate agent, 48, moved here 4 years ago from San Francisco. I've lived in Springfield and Downtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Strong job market in several industries
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - 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 pet-friendliness situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Springfield: Great for remote workers. improving vibes, walkable.
- Downtown: 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 Francisco, everything felt hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $60K-$120K here.
**Final verdict:**
No regrets on my end.. 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.
29 upvotes
Peyton R.
accurate
16 upvotes
Brooks Kelly
The food scene here is challenging. Tons of great farm-to-table places. it's been a really good experience overall.
13 upvotes
Elizabeth K.
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's not perfect but it works for me. Feel free to reach out with questions..
11 upvotes
Eva Reed
I've lived in West for about 8 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. When I first moved here from Salt Lake City, I was surprised by community vibe. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Lots of new development happening
- Close to major attractions
- The safety scene is solid
The downsides:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Can feel isolated
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for retirees. No regrets on my end..
6 upvotes
Jameson Brooks
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 3-bedroom. it's exactly what I was looking for. Compared to Portland it's decent.
3 upvotes
Ezekiel Ross
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 12 years. Moved from Denver for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is excellent. We bought in 2023 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. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
government is strong here. manufacturing 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's exactly what I was looking for. The outdoor scene is pretty good - we have hiking 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 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. Rising rent and home prices. And walkability can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 5/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
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