With a population of 6,377, Harrah is a small town. Rent is about $969/month for a decent place. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The suburbs are where most families end up. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The city has invested a lot in new development. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The city has invested a lot in new development. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. The weather takes some getting used to. Property taxes are high but you get good services. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood.
0 upvotes
15 Replies
Emilia Chavez
Hot take but I have mixed feelings honestly. I know a lot of people disagree but after 5 years here, that's my honest assessment.
39 upvotes
Eliana W.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a teacher, 44, moved here 1 years ago from Pittsburgh. I've lived in Sunset and Westside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Growing food and restaurant scene
3. Decent public transit for the size
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Not a lot of cultural diversity
3. The weather situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Sunset: Great for young professionals. 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 Pittsburgh, everything felt tough. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $50K-$140K 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.
36 upvotes
Leah Cooper
couldn't agree more
31 upvotes
Addison
good to know, thanks
29 upvotes
Janet A.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 11 years ago from Seattle and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Meadowbrook. It's hit or miss for what you get.
Jobs: The market is reasonable right now, especially in legal. If you're in construction you might struggle.
People: Generally better than expected. It took about 17 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: improving. Tons of options if you like Asian.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
27 upvotes
Avery James
spot on
23 upvotes
Charlotte Rodriguez
I've been living here for 14 years and I'd say it's not perfect but it works for me. The weather is challenging compared to other places I've lived. Overall Definitely worth checking out..
17 upvotes
Everett G.
bump
16 upvotes
Amelia
The food scene here is pretty good. Tons of great Asian places. I genuinely enjoy living here.
14 upvotes
Jose Roberts
I've lived in Cedar Grove for about 7 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's not perfect but it works for me. When I first moved here from Dallas, I was surprised by healthcare. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Four distinct seasons
- Close to major attractions
- The healthcare scene is pretty good
The downsides:
- Dating scene is rough
- Far from beaches/mountains
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for singles. Feel free to reach out with questions..
14 upvotes
Riley Gray
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 Atlanta for my partner's job. 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 about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
hospitality is strong here. healthcare 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 not perfect but it works for me. The outdoor scene is underrated - we have desert landscapes 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 challenging. 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 high-paying job options. Far from beaches/mountains. And cost of living can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 9/10. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
14 upvotes
Cooper Ross
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 9 years ago from Atlanta and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Old Town. It's underrated for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in marketing. If you're in engineering you might struggle.
People: Generally better than expected. It took about 15 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: pretty good. Tons of options if you like craft beer.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
13 upvotes
coastal_vivian95
preach
12 upvotes
Christian J.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a teacher, 35, moved here 8 years ago from Seattle. I've lived in Westside and Greenfield, 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 improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not a lot of cultural diversity
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The school system situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Westside: Great for remote workers. tough vibes, walkable.
- Greenfield: 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 Seattle, everything felt tough. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $60K-$80K here.
**Final verdict:**
Hope this helps!. 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.
6 upvotes
Colton Hill
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are pretty good, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
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