Random thought, I'm originally from Kansas City and Homes are going for about $234,100 on average. Average temperature is around 50--F, so expect cold winters. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The food scene here is surprisingly good.
0 upvotes
14 Replies
Mason D.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a teacher, 34, moved here 3 years ago from Portland. I've lived in Cedar Grove and South, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Nice parks and green spaces
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Close to major attractions
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not a lot of cultural diversity
2. Road conditions need improvement
3. The safety situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Cedar Grove: Great for remote workers. challenging 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 Portland, everything felt tough. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $60K-$80K 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.
40 upvotes
Victoria
I work in manufacturing here and it was the best decision I ever made. The job market for my field is excellent. No regrets on my end..
40 upvotes
Ezekiel Hill
bump
38 upvotes
Ariana Torres
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 10 years ago from Charlotte and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Eastside. It's better than expected for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in hospitality. If you're in manufacturing you might struggle.
People: Generally solid. It took about 9 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: better than expected. Tons of options if you like craft beer.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
35 upvotes
Mia A.
I've lived in Oak Park for about 9 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's improved dramatically in recent years. When I first moved here from New York, I was surprised by dating scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good schools in most areas
- Lots of new development happening
- The cost of living scene is excellent
The downsides:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Not very walkable outside downtown
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for remote workers. No regrets on my end..
34 upvotes
Jordan Ross
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a chef, 44, moved here 7 years ago from Chicago. I've lived in Fairview and Highland, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Good schools in most areas
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Urban sprawl is real
3. The food scene situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Fairview: Great for retirees. surprisingly good vibes, walkable.
- Highland: 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 Chicago, everything felt hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $80K-$150K here.
**Final verdict:**
Feel free to reach out with questions.. 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.
32 upvotes
Jameson Miller
big facts right here
29 upvotes
Eli Scott
My experience has been mostly positive. I'm still on the fence after all this time. The only thing I'd watch out for is outdoor recreation. Other than that, Hope this helps!.
26 upvotes
Scott W.
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are solid, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
16 upvotes
Addison B.
haha yep pretty much
11 upvotes
Jack Reed
I've lived in Greenfield for about 1 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
the quality of life is solid. When I first moved here from Atlanta, I was surprised by outdoor recreation. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Nice parks and green spaces
- The housing market scene is pretty good
The downsides:
- Winters are long and cold
- Limited entertainment options
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for young professionals. Definitely worth checking out..
9 upvotes
Brenda C.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 5 years ago from Nashville and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in West. It's better than expected for what you get.
Jobs: The market is manageable right now, especially in finance. If you're in healthcare you might struggle.
People: Generally hit or miss. It took about 11 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: surprisingly good. Tons of options if you like BBQ.
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