Hi all, I'm originally from San Diego and With a population of 1,242, Kempner is a small town. Household incomes average around $76,250 in Kempner. Median household income is $76,250, which feels about average for the area. The weather takes some getting used to. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Thoughts? The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The suburbs are where most families end up. The weather takes some getting used to. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable.
8 upvotes
14 Replies
Ruby Cruz
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
38 upvotes
Abigail Chavez
spot on
37 upvotes
Alice Cox
lol so true
35 upvotes
Asher Anderson
My experience has been mostly positive. I genuinely enjoy living here. The only thing I'd watch out for is pet-friendliness. Other than that, Definitely worth checking out..
33 upvotes
Julia H.
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it exceeded my expectations. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
32 upvotes
Wyatt Gonzalez
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is walkability. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Worth doing your research before committing.
29 upvotes
Austin Carter
following this thread
26 upvotes
Scarlett G.
Public transit is challenging here. You'll probably need a car for most things. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
25 upvotes
Michael Phillips
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value cultural scene, you'll love it. The healthcare is genuinely improving and I've found it exceeded my expectations. My neighborhood (Uptown) is reasonable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Boston, be prepared for the culture shock. traffic is completely different here. And Homeless population growing downtown.
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.
20 upvotes
Levi Turner
Bought a house here in 2015 and it's improved dramatically in recent years. Property values have gone about the same since then.
19 upvotes
Sofia
We moved here with our family and it exceeded my expectations. Schools in Midtown area are surprisingly good. Kids love it here.
11 upvotes
Savannah K.
I've lived in Oak Park for about 4 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 San Francisco, I was surprised by walkability. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Good internet infrastructure
- The public transit scene is better than expected
The downsides:
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
- Limited shopping options
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for couples. Happy to answer more specific questions..
10 upvotes
David H.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 5 years ago from Houston and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Westside. It's better than expected for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in education. If you're in construction you might struggle.
People: Generally surprisingly good. It took about 7 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: average. Tons of options if you like seafood.
Hope this helps!.
8 upvotes
Dylan Price
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 12 years ago from Charlotte and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Meadowbrook. It's solid for what you get.
Jobs: The market is reasonable right now, especially in real estate. If you're in hospitality you might struggle.
People: Generally average. It took about 11 months to build a solid friend group.
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