I'm a teacher here and The unemployment rate is 3.0%, which is pretty low. Crime rate is something to consider -Goleta sits at 129.3 per 100K. The city has invested a lot in new development. Anyone in a similar situation?
25 upvotes
27 Replies
Brooks S.
big facts right here
40 upvotes
Avery Baker
bump
40 upvotes
evelyn_papa
The food scene here is decent. Tons of great Thai places. I genuinely enjoy living here.
37 upvotes
Nora Ross
Hot take but it exceeded my expectations. I know a lot of people disagree but after 8 years here, that's my honest assessment.
37 upvotes
Grayson
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 9 years. Moved from Houston for a fresh start. 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. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
real estate 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:**
I have mixed feelings honestly. The outdoor scene is hit or miss - we have mountains 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. Chain restaurants dominate. Can feel isolated. And outdoor recreation can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 7/10. Would recommend to anyone considering it.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
36 upvotes
Adrian Wright
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem average.
I've been here 3 years and it exceeded my expectations. The thing nobody mentions is nightlife. It's developing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the public transit is legit. And if you're into skiing, this place is underrated.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Oak Park side vs the Downtown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
35 upvotes
Robert J.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it was the best decision I ever made. Internet is decent in most areas.
32 upvotes
Adrian Thomas
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a teacher, 43, moved here 13 years ago from Boston. I've lived in Cedar Grove and Downtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Great outdoor activities nearby
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Nightlife is limited
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The weather situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Cedar Grove: Great for families. surprisingly good 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 Boston, everything felt challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $80K-$90K 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.
30 upvotes
cora_walker
interesting, hadn't considered that
28 upvotes
Declan H.
Weather-wise, the summers are decent and winters are wild. You get used to it after the first year.
28 upvotes
David Young
haha yep pretty much
28 upvotes
Liam Brooks
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is pet-friendliness. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Worth doing your research before committing.
25 upvotes
Jacob C.
Moved here from New York about 4 years ago. it exceeded my expectations. Still getting used to outdoor recreation but Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
25 upvotes
Josiah Richardson
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem improving.
I've been here 15 years and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The thing nobody mentions is healthcare. It's wild and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the housing market is legit. And if you're into kayaking, this place is excellent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Highland side vs the Meadowbrook side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
23 upvotes
Lydia White
noted, appreciate it
18 upvotes
Roman
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 2 years ago from Salt Lake City and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Old Town. It's underrated for what you get.
Jobs: The market is reasonable right now, especially in consulting. If you're in tech you might struggle.
People: Generally solid. It took about 12 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: surprisingly good. Tons of options if you like Korean.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
17 upvotes
Mackenzie Sanders
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 8 years ago from Phoenix and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Springfield. It's hit or miss for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in healthcare. If you're in retail you might struggle.
People: Generally decent. It took about 16 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: better than expected. Tons of options if you like Korean.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
16 upvotes
Charlotte Hughes
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a software engineer who relocated here from Minneapolis about 5 years ago. The main reasons were family and school.
Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Good airport with direct flights
Cons that are real:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Not very walkable outside downtown
Financially, we've found it decent compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are developing, gas is improving.
Socially, I have mixed feelings honestly. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
16 upvotes
Liam Perez
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 6 years ago from Boston and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Old Town. It's solid for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in engineering. If you're in real estate you might struggle.
People: Generally solid. It took about 15 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: challenging. Tons of options if you like Asian.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
13 upvotes
Bella Foster
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are tough, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
12 upvotes
Weston Sanders
good to know, thanks
10 upvotes
Emmett Kelly
Moved here from New York about 1 years ago. it's not perfect but it works for me. Still getting used to public transit but Would recommend to anyone considering it..
7 upvotes
Leah Mendoza
Public transit is solid here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's not perfect but it works for me.
5 upvotes
Reagan Morris
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 10 years ago from Denver and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Cedar Grove. It's hit or miss for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in real estate. If you're in manufacturing you might struggle.
People: Generally tough. It took about 17 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: improving. Tons of options if you like Southern.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
4 upvotes
Vivian D.
Weather-wise, the summers are tough and winters are stable. You get used to it after the first year.
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