Not sure if this has been asked before, but I'm originally from Boston and It's a a mid-size city city with about 106K people. The unemployment rate is 4.1%, which is about average. Homes are going for about $538,700 on average. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus.
Pros:
- Great weather
- Nice parks and trails
- Walkable downtown
- Plenty of shopping options
- Good airport connections
Cons:
- Rising rent prices
- Sprawl everywhere
- Not very walkable
- High property taxes
- Far from major airports
Does this match your experience? TIA! There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The weather takes some getting used to. The weather takes some getting used to. Property taxes are high but you get good services. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The food scene here is surprisingly good. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The weather takes some getting used to. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The food scene here is surprisingly good. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. It's not perfect, but the community is solid.
59 upvotes
15 Replies
Jose Morgan
Moved here from Portland about 10 years ago. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Still getting used to weather but Would recommend to anyone considering it..
39 upvotes
Joseph
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 13 years ago from San Diego and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Cedar Grove. It's excellent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is reasonable right now, especially in education. If you're in hospitality you might struggle.
People: Generally pretty good. It took about 12 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: better than expected. Tons of options if you like Indian.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
39 upvotes
Kennedy
I've lived in Oak Park for about 7 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 Austin, I was surprised by dating scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Strong job market in several industries
- The food scene scene is solid
The downsides:
- Nightlife is limited
- Road conditions need improvement
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for couples. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
37 upvotes
Eliana R.
The food scene here is better than expected. Tons of great craft beer places. it exceeded my expectations.
36 upvotes
Clara F.
thanks for sharing
35 upvotes
Evan Collins
Came here for work and stayed because there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The traffic is honestly better than expected and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
35 upvotes
Jean W.
We moved here with our family and I genuinely enjoy living here. Schools in Lakewood area are surprisingly good. Kids love it here.
33 upvotes
Emma T.
I've lived in South for about 14 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I'm still on the fence after all this time. When I first moved here from Portland, I was surprised by walkability. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Good healthcare facilities
- The safety scene is challenging
The downsides:
- Can feel isolated
- Dating scene is rough
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for young professionals. No regrets on my end..
33 upvotes
Chloe Phillips
The food scene here is hit or miss. Tons of great Mexican places. the quality of life is solid.
32 upvotes
Ella Hernandez
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in West for 4 years. Moved from Boston for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is solid. We bought in 2021 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
education is strong here. finance is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are growing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's exactly what I was looking for. The outdoor scene is surprisingly good - we have state parks within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. West schools are excellent. 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. Limited entertainment options. And cost of living can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 8/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
30 upvotes
Victoria R.
Hot take but the quality of life is solid. I know a lot of people disagree but after 7 years here, that's my honest assessment.
28 upvotes
Alyssa P.
wish I knew this sooner
25 upvotes
William
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a data analyst, 35, moved here 5 years ago from Seattle. I've lived in The Heights and Midtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Low crime in most neighborhoods
2. Lots of new development happening
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Nightlife is limited
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The public transit situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- The Heights: Great for young professionals. better than expected vibes, walkable.
- Midtown: 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 solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $50K-$120K 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.
19 upvotes
Lucas Moore
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Internet is pretty good in most areas.
9 upvotes
Luca Ruiz
As someone who grew up here, I love the pace of life here. A lot has changed in the past few years though. cost of living used to be much established but now it's improving.
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