Alright, Rent is about $594/month for a decent place. Household incomes average around $20,513 in La Luisa comunidad. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. TIA! The suburbs are where most families end up. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Night life is decent if you know the right spots.
3 upvotes
9 Replies
Andrew Rivera
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are challenging, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
35 upvotes
Aubrey Gray
We moved here with our family and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Schools in The Heights area are excellent. Kids love it here.
34 upvotes
Daniel F.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem excellent.
I've been here 11 years and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The thing nobody mentions is community vibe. It's reasonable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the traffic is legit. And if you're into biking, this place is solid.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Greenfield side vs the Highland side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Hope this helps!.
30 upvotes
Gabriel
The food scene here is average. Tons of great farm-to-table places. I'm still on the fence after all this time.
29 upvotes
Gabriel T.
I've lived in Old Town for about 14 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I love the pace of life here. When I first moved here from Pittsburgh, I was surprised by community vibe. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Four distinct seasons
- Diverse dining options
- The healthcare scene is pretty good
The downsides:
- Property taxes are high
- Dating scene is rough
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for families. Happy to answer more specific questions..
27 upvotes
Brittany C.
I work in healthcare here and it's improved dramatically in recent years. The job market for my field is surprisingly good. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
26 upvotes
oaklandliving2024
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem surprisingly good.
I've been here 6 years and I have mixed feelings honestly. The thing nobody mentions is cultural scene. It's developing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the housing market is legit. And if you're into biking, this place is challenging.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Meadowbrook side vs the Oak Park side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
16 upvotes
Serenity Parker
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Highland for 12 years. Moved from Atlanta for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is underrated. We bought in 2021 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
education is strong here. hospitality is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are stable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's been a really good experience overall. The outdoor scene is tough - 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. Highland schools are tough. 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. Winters are long and cold. Can feel isolated. And weather can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 9/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
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