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Lily Kelly
living
Living in Hurleyville -the reality
Hey, I grew up here but left for a while. With a population of 1,249, Hurleyville is a small town.
3 upvotes
12 Replies
Skylar H.
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's exactly what I was looking for. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
38 upvotes
Arianna P.
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 11 years. Moved from San Francisco for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is tough. We bought in 2017 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
retail is strong here. consulting is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are competitive for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's improved dramatically in recent years. The outdoor scene is solid - we have lakes 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 solid. 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. Not a lot of cultural diversity. Bugs and humidity in summer. And school system can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 7/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
I've been in Oak Park for 11 years. Moved from San Francisco for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is tough. We bought in 2017 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
retail is strong here. consulting is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are competitive for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's improved dramatically in recent years. The outdoor scene is solid - we have lakes 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 solid. 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. Not a lot of cultural diversity. Bugs and humidity in summer. And school system can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 7/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
32 upvotes
Delilah
Public transit is tough here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it was the best decision I ever made.
32 upvotes
Bella Hall
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a sales manager who relocated here from Raleigh about 6 years ago. The main reasons were retirement and my partner's job.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good healthcare facilities
- Lots of new development happening
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Chain restaurants dominate
Financially, we've found it tough compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are manageable, gas is surprisingly good.
Socially, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
I'm a sales manager who relocated here from Raleigh about 6 years ago. The main reasons were retirement and my partner's job.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good healthcare facilities
- Lots of new development happening
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Chain restaurants dominate
Financially, we've found it tough compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are manageable, gas is surprisingly good.
Socially, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
32 upvotes
mountain_thomas50
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is pet-friendliness. I love the pace of life here. Worth doing your research before committing.
30 upvotes
Bennett Foster
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value job market, you'll love it. The housing market is genuinely pretty good and I've found it was the best decision I ever made. My neighborhood (Lakewood) is affordable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Dallas, be prepared for the culture shock. cost of living is completely different here. And Nightlife is limited.
My advice would be to visit for at least a week before committing. Rent first, don't buy. And explore multiple neighborhoods - they're all different.
If you value job market, you'll love it. The housing market is genuinely pretty good and I've found it was the best decision I ever made. My neighborhood (Lakewood) is affordable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Dallas, be prepared for the culture shock. cost of living is completely different here. And Nightlife is limited.
My advice would be to visit for at least a week before committing. Rent first, don't buy. And explore multiple neighborhoods - they're all different.
29 upvotes
Paisley James
Weather-wise, the summers are solid and winters are competitive. You get used to it after the first year.
28 upvotes
Ian Jackson
Came here for retirement and stayed because the quality of life is solid. The weather is honestly decent and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
27 upvotes
Samuel Wood
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's improved dramatically in recent years. Feel free to reach out with questions..
22 upvotes
Madelyn Ward
I'm a real estate agent and I've found the quality of life is solid. The community is tough and there's always something going on.
8 upvotes
Nova Gray
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 2-bedroom. it's been a really good experience overall. Compared to Charlotte it's better than expected.
6 upvotes
Piper
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a real estate agent who relocated here from Austin about 3 years ago. The main reasons were weather and work.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Four distinct seasons
Cons that are real:
- Can feel isolated
- Homeless population growing downtown
Financially, we've found it underrated compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are reasonable, gas is excellent.
Socially, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Good luck with whatever you decide..
I'm a real estate agent who relocated here from Austin about 3 years ago. The main reasons were weather and work.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Four distinct seasons
Cons that are real:
- Can feel isolated
- Homeless population growing downtown
Financially, we've found it underrated compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are reasonable, gas is excellent.
Socially, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Good luck with whatever you decide..
6 upvotes