Hey everyone, My family moved here when I was a kid. Household incomes average around $71,672 in Leeds. The unemployment rate is 0.7%, which is pretty low. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The suburbs are where most families end up. Has anyone dealt with this? Looking forward to hearing from you all. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Property taxes are high but you get good services.
15 upvotes
15 Replies
Willow Turner
Saving this thread
39 upvotes
Sebastian Rodriguez
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem challenging.
I've been here 1 years and I have mixed feelings honestly. The thing nobody mentions is job market. It's growing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the community vibe is legit. And if you're into kayaking, this place is improving.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The West side vs the Westside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
38 upvotes
Emma
Used to live on the Downtown side, now on the Sunset side. Completely different vibe. I love the pace of life here.
37 upvotes
Delilah Ramirez
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are excellent, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
37 upvotes
atlwalker2023
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 8 years. Moved from San Diego for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is decent. We bought in 2022 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
finance is strong here. hospitality is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are affordable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
the quality of life is solid. The outdoor scene is tough - we have national forests 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 improving. 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. Summers can be brutally hot. Limited entertainment options. And walkability can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 9/10. Definitely worth checking out.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
35 upvotes
Alexa W.
preach
34 upvotes
Lillian Collins
Used to live on the South side, now on the Midtown side. Completely different vibe. the quality of life is solid.
26 upvotes
Arianna Evans
wish I knew this sooner
25 upvotes
Angel Roberts
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are pretty good, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
24 upvotes
Aaron T.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in West for 1 years. Moved from Miami for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is decent. We bought in 2017 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. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
finance is strong here. engineering is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are affordable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's been a really good experience overall. The outdoor scene is pretty good - we have national forests within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. West schools are better than expected. 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. Urban sprawl is real. Limited high-paying job options. And public transit can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 8/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
21 upvotes
Emilia
Moved here last year, no regrets.
15 upvotes
Vivian Brooks
nah I disagree
12 upvotes
Stella Davis
Bought a house here in 2023 and it was the best decision I ever made. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
9 upvotes
Michael Wright
I've lived in Springfield for about 7 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 Chicago, I was surprised by safety. 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 improving
The downsides:
- Dating scene is rough
- Limited entertainment options
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for couples. Definitely worth checking out..
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