First post here. I'm single, late 50s, and Crime rate is something to consider -Level Park-Oak Park sits at 784.0 per 100K. It's a a small town city with about 3,367 people. Homes are going for about $128,100 on average. Rent is about $763/month for a decent place. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The weather takes some getting used to. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods.
3 upvotes
10 Replies
Aaron Mitchell
as a local I can confirm
31 upvotes
Maverick Long
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a social worker who relocated here from Chicago about 2 years ago. The main reasons were cost of living and a job opportunity.
Pros I've experienced:
- Strong job market in several industries
- Lots of new development happening
- Four distinct seasons
Cons that are real:
- Bugs and humidity in summer
- Far from beaches/mountains
Financially, we've found it surprisingly good compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are competitive, gas is better than expected.
Socially, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
31 upvotes
Noah Stewart
haha yep pretty much
30 upvotes
Nevaeh
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value weather, you'll love it. The community vibe is genuinely pretty good and I've found I genuinely enjoy living here. My neighborhood (Greenfield) is developing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Pittsburgh, be prepared for the culture shock. food scene is completely different here. And Nightlife is limited.
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.
28 upvotes
Gianna Bennett
Public transit is tough here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I genuinely enjoy living here.
26 upvotes
Clara Nelson
preach
25 upvotes
Wesley Robinson
it depends on the neighborhood
23 upvotes
Scott P.
Moved here from Houston about 2 years ago. I love the pace of life here. Still getting used to cost of living but Feel free to reach out with questions..
22 upvotes
Aurora Walker
We moved here with our family and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Schools in Eastside area are hit or miss. Kids love it here.
18 upvotes
Hazel King
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value housing market, you'll love it. The outdoor recreation is genuinely surprisingly good and I've found it's improved dramatically in recent years. My neighborhood (Old Town) is wild and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Houston, be prepared for the culture shock. walkability is completely different here. And Summers can be brutally hot.
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.
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