Random thought, I grew up here but left for a while. Crime rate is something to consider -Greenlawn sits at 22.0 per 100K. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Let me know your thoughts.
1 upvotes
7 Replies
Aubrey Harris
We moved here with our family and I genuinely enjoy living here. Schools in Oak Park area are average. Kids love it here.
25 upvotes
Harper M.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem surprisingly good.
I've been here 4 years and the quality of life is solid. The thing nobody mentions is school system. It's competitive and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the healthcare is legit. And if you're into rock climbing, this place is decent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Pine Hills side vs the Fairview side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
24 upvotes
Isaiah Anderson
couldn't agree more
19 upvotes
Doris M.
Weather-wise, the summers are challenging and winters are reasonable. You get used to it after the first year.
13 upvotes
Harper Diaz
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a lawyer, 29, moved here 10 years ago from Denver. I've lived in Cedar Grove and Westside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Good schools in most areas
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited high-paying job options
2. Not a lot of cultural diversity
3. The school system situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Cedar Grove: Great for couples. excellent vibes, walkable.
- Westside: 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 Denver, everything felt solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $40K-$150K here.
**Final verdict:**
Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. 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.