Been meaning to ask this. I'm a college student here and Average temperature is around 61--F, so the weather is moderate. Poverty rate is 16.4%, which is higher than I expected. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Let me know your thoughts.
28 upvotes
15 Replies
Christian Hill
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in North for 9 years. Moved from Pittsburgh for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is surprisingly good. We bought in 2018 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. Older homes are where the value is.
**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:**
I genuinely enjoy living here. The outdoor scene is solid - we have desert landscapes within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. North schools are surprisingly 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. Not very walkable outside downtown. Limited shopping options. And community vibe can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 5/10. It's not for everyone but it works for us.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
39 upvotes
Luna Watson
Public transit is better than expected here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's improved dramatically in recent years.
37 upvotes
Evan Turner
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 6 years. Moved from Salt Lake City for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is average. We bought in 2016 at k and it's now worth about the same 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:**
consulting is strong here. retail is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are reasonable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The outdoor scene is better than expected - we have lakes 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 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. Not a lot of cultural diversity. Dating scene is rough. And healthcare can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 8/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
35 upvotes
Sophia T.
My experience has been mostly positive. it's been a really good experience overall. The only thing I'd watch out for is safety. Other than that, Happy to answer more specific questions..
31 upvotes
Emily Nelson
couldn't agree more
31 upvotes
Roman Wood
lol so true
27 upvotes
Addison Gutierrez
as a local I can confirm
21 upvotes
phoenixwalker2024
Bought a house here in 2021 and I love the pace of life here. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
21 upvotes
Aurora Brown
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 6 years ago from Denver and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Meadowbrook. It's hit or miss for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in construction. If you're in consulting you might struggle.
People: Generally hit or miss. It took about 10 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: average. Tons of options if you like Korean.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
18 upvotes
Elijah A.
haha yep pretty much
14 upvotes
Peyton H.
+1
11 upvotes
Hailey W.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 8 years ago from San Diego 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 Springfield. It's solid for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in government. If you're in manufacturing you might struggle.
People: Generally excellent. It took about 7 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: pretty good. Tons of options if you like Southern.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
10 upvotes
Maya Robinson
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's not perfect but it works for me. Internet is hit or miss in most areas.
8 upvotes
Bennett
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want healthcare, then yeah this place is great. But if school system matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
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