Hello, My partner and I are It's a a small town city with about 16,100 people. The unemployment rate is 3.1%, which is pretty low. You can expect to pay around $739 for rent here. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The suburbs are where most families end up. The food scene here is surprisingly good. What are your go-to spots? The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting.
4 upvotes
9 Replies
Levi Murphy
Used to live on the North side, now on the Downtown side. Completely different vibe. it was the best decision I ever made.
39 upvotes
Brooklyn Hernandez
I work in marketing here and it's not perfect but it works for me. The job market for my field is decent. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
38 upvotes
Valentina Wood
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem decent.
I've been here 5 years and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The thing nobody mentions is pet-friendliness. It's established and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cultural scene is legit. And if you're into kayaking, this place is decent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Meadowbrook side vs the Oak Park side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Hope this helps!.
34 upvotes
Easton K.
I work in finance here and the quality of life is solid. The job market for my field is underrated. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
31 upvotes
Sofia C.
I've lived in North for about 15 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it was the best decision I ever made. When I first moved here from Seattle, I was surprised by nightlife. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Nice parks and green spaces
- The public transit scene is solid
The downsides:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Road conditions need improvement
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for singles. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
26 upvotes
Aurora
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem decent.
I've been here 10 years and I have mixed feelings honestly. The thing nobody mentions is cost of living. It's established and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the healthcare is legit. And if you're into biking, this place is average.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The East side vs the Maple Ridge side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
23 upvotes
Caroline Hernandez
I've lived in Pine Hills for about 8 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's exactly what I was looking for. When I first moved here from Phoenix, I was surprised by food scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Good internet infrastructure
- The safety scene is average
The downsides:
- Limited shopping options
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for families. Good luck with whatever you decide..
21 upvotes
Sophia Morales
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a contractor who relocated here from Miami about 1 years ago. The main reasons were cost of living and a job opportunity.
Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Strong job market in several industries
Cons that are real:
- Nightlife is limited
- Property taxes are high
Financially, we've found it average compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are stable, gas is surprisingly good.
Socially, it's exactly what I was looking for. Hope this helps!.
21 upvotes
vegaspapa2020
I've lived in Oak Park for about 2 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 Boston, I was surprised by public transit. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Affordable housing options
- The safety scene is excellent
The downsides:
- Nightlife is limited
- Far from beaches/mountains
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for singles. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..