Longtime lurker here, Crime rate is something to consider -Kendale Lakes sits at 231.7 per 100K. Median household income is $69,150, which feels about average for the area. The city has invested a lot in new development. Should I be concerned?
0 upvotes
11 Replies
Colton Ward
Used to live on the West side, now on the Oak Park side. Completely different vibe. I'm still on the fence after all this time.
32 upvotes
Aurora Edwards
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are underrated, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
31 upvotes
Clara Miller
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem solid.
I've been here 7 years and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The thing nobody mentions is outdoor recreation. It's established and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the community vibe is legit. And if you're into photography, this place is challenging.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Fairview side vs the Pine Hills side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
No regrets on my end..
30 upvotes
oakland_liam
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I genuinely enjoy living here. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
27 upvotes
Arianna G.
literally same
24 upvotes
Joseph M.
preach
21 upvotes
Kennedy O.
Totally agree!
18 upvotes
Hazel Ortiz
preach
15 upvotes
Skylar Rivera
My experience has been mostly positive. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The only thing I'd watch out for is healthcare. Other than that, Hope this helps!.
6 upvotes
Grace Martinez
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Old Town for 10 years. Moved from San Francisco for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is improving. We bought in 2018 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
finance is strong here. healthcare is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are established for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's exactly what I was looking for. The outdoor scene is tough - we have beaches within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Old Town schools are decent. 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. Homeless population growing downtown. And pet-friendliness can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 8/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
5 upvotes
Connor Lewis
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 13 years ago from Atlanta and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in East. It's challenging for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in legal. If you're in legal you might struggle.
People: Generally hit or miss. It took about 6 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: underrated. Tons of options if you like Indian.
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