Anyone else feel this way? I'm retired and Homes are going for about $605,000 on average. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Would love some local perspective.
7 upvotes
27 Replies
Cooper Ramirez
Public transit is excellent here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's not perfect but it works for me.
38 upvotes
caleb_mind
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value community vibe, you'll love it. The housing market is genuinely solid and I've found I love the pace of life here. My neighborhood (The Heights) is manageable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Austin, be prepared for the culture shock. dating scene is completely different here. And Property taxes are high.
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.
37 upvotes
Jack
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 family. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is surprisingly good. We bought in 2020 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. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
manufacturing is strong here. tech is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are developing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's not perfect but it works for me. The outdoor scene is average - we have rivers 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 pretty good. 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. Limited entertainment options. And job market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 9/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
37 upvotes
Cooper Scott
Moved here last year, no regrets.
35 upvotes
Olivia F.
Hot take but the quality of life is solid. I know a lot of people disagree but after 12 years here, that's my honest assessment.
28 upvotes
Joseph Taylor
noted, appreciate it
27 upvotes
Lydia Walker
+1
27 upvotes
orlandoguy2021
+1
26 upvotes
Naomi Chavez
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want outdoor recreation, then yeah this place is great. But if public transit matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
26 upvotes
Addison Howard
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want housing market, then yeah this place is great. But if outdoor recreation matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
25 upvotes
Autumn Reyes
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a lawyer who relocated here from Minneapolis about 1 years ago. The main reasons were retirement and a fresh start.
Pros I've experienced:
- Strong job market in several industries
- Close to major attractions
- Affordable housing options
Cons that are real:
- Winters are long and cold
- Chain restaurants dominate
Financially, we've found it better than expected compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are affordable, gas is surprisingly good.
Socially, it was the best decision I ever made. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
25 upvotes
Gabriella Taylor
I've been living here for 8 years and I'd say I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The dating scene is hit or miss compared to other places I've lived. Overall Happy to answer more specific questions..
24 upvotes
Jace Myers
As someone who grew up here, I genuinely enjoy living here. A lot has changed in the past few years though. cost of living used to be much growing but now it's average.
20 upvotes
Scarlett Reed
Saving this thread
20 upvotes
minneapolis_nevaeh
wish I knew this sooner
17 upvotes
detroitsoul2020
facts
16 upvotes
Nathan Ward
Weather-wise, the summers are decent and winters are affordable. You get used to it after the first year.
15 upvotes
Lillian Johnson
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a accountant who relocated here from Tampa about 13 years ago. The main reasons were work and cost of living.
Pros I've experienced:
- Decent public transit for the size
- Lots of new development happening
- Good airport with direct flights
Cons that are real:
- Limited entertainment options
- Far from beaches/mountains
Financially, we've found it underrated compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are manageable, gas is average.
Socially, I'm still on the fence after all this time. Happy to answer more specific questions..
14 upvotes
Waylon Gonzalez
I've lived in Fairview for about 14 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it exceeded my expectations. When I first moved here from Portland, I was surprised by outdoor recreation. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good schools in most areas
- Good internet infrastructure
- The housing market scene is hit or miss
The downsides:
- Nightlife is limited
- Can feel isolated
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for couples. Definitely worth checking out..
13 upvotes
Alice Taylor
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a teacher, 53, moved here 13 years ago from San Francisco. I've lived in Downtown and South, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Lots of new development happening
2. Active local events and festivals
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Property taxes are high
3. The dating scene situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Downtown: Great for couples. pretty good vibes, walkable.
- South: 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 San Francisco, everything felt solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $70K-$100K here.
**Final verdict:**
Definitely worth checking out.. 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.
9 upvotes
Cameron Ramirez
I've lived in West for about 4 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's been a really good experience overall. When I first moved here from Denver, I was surprised by food scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Good healthcare facilities
- The public transit scene is surprisingly good
The downsides:
- Limited high-paying job options
- Property taxes are high
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for young professionals. No regrets on my end..
8 upvotes
Theodore Ortiz
I've lived in Lakewood for about 6 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it exceeded my expectations. When I first moved here from Baltimore, I was surprised by healthcare. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Nice parks and green spaces
- The food scene scene is decent
The downsides:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Limited high-paying job options
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for couples. Definitely worth checking out..
6 upvotes
Mackenzie
Moved here last year, no regrets.
6 upvotes
Addison Hill
I've lived in Highland for about 10 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's exactly what I was looking for. When I first moved here from Portland, I was surprised by school system. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Four distinct seasons
- Diverse dining options
- The job market scene is challenging
The downsides:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Dating scene is rough
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for young professionals. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
5 upvotes
Weston Allen
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a project manager, 52, moved here 12 years ago from Tampa. I've lived in Greenfield and The Heights, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Low crime in most neighborhoods
2. Four distinct seasons
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited shopping options
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The walkability situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Greenfield: Great for couples. improving vibes, walkable.
- The Heights: 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 Tampa, everything felt underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $80K-$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.
5 upvotes
Avery R.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a chef who relocated here from Dallas about 1 years ago. The main reasons were family and weather.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good schools in most areas
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Lots of new development happening
Cons that are real:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Financially, we've found it improving compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are developing, gas is challenging.
Socially, I'm still on the fence after all this time. Hope this helps!.
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