Been meaning to ask this. It's a a small town city with about 3,708 people. Average temperature is around 66--F, so the weather is moderate. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. The city has invested a lot in new development. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The weather takes some getting used to. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods.
13 upvotes
8 Replies
Declan Long
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a lawyer who relocated here from Houston about 9 years ago. The main reasons were cost of living and family.
Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Good internet infrastructure
- Affordable housing options
Cons that are real:
- Property taxes are high
- Can feel isolated
Financially, we've found it surprisingly good compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are manageable, gas is excellent.
Socially, the quality of life is solid. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
37 upvotes
Amelia Sanchez
thanks for sharing
37 upvotes
Delilah Robinson
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem underrated.
I've been here 1 years and I love the pace of life here. The thing nobody mentions is pet-friendliness. It's affordable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the pet-friendliness is legit. And if you're into skiing, this place is decent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Oak Park side vs the Westside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
35 upvotes
Jack
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 3 years ago from Miami and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in The Heights. It's decent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in construction. If you're in tech you might struggle.
People: Generally improving. It took about 7 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like Indian.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
30 upvotes
Hazel
This.
27 upvotes
Marilyn C.
Hot take but it exceeded my expectations. I know a lot of people disagree but after 9 years here, that's my honest assessment.
16 upvotes
John
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want cost of living, then yeah this place is great. But if pet-friendliness matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
All Countries
