Random thought, I'm originally from Minneapolis and Rent is about $1,051/month for a decent place. The unemployment rate is 1.7%, which is pretty low. Median household income is $73,548, which feels about average for the area. It's a a small town city with about 1,002 people. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. The weather takes some getting used to. What neighborhoods would you suggest? The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The weather takes some getting used to. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The weather takes some getting used to. The weather takes some getting used to.
4 upvotes
12 Replies
nashville_jacob
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 2-bedroom. I have mixed feelings honestly. Compared to Phoenix it's better than expected.
37 upvotes
Adrian Flores
I work in manufacturing here and it was the best decision I ever made. The job market for my field is decent. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
31 upvotes
Jameson T.
haha yep pretty much
29 upvotes
Savannah Thompson
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are tough, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
29 upvotes
Roman Bennett
accurate
25 upvotes
Noah Morris
We moved here with our family and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Schools in Midtown area are solid. Kids love it here.
20 upvotes
Madelyn
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in South for 11 years. Moved from San Diego for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is underrated. We bought in 2019 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
government is strong here. manufacturing 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 ski resorts within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. South schools are hit or miss. 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. Property taxes are high. And dating scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 5/10. Hope this helps!. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
11 upvotes
Josiah C.
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 15 years. Moved from San Francisco for family. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is surprisingly good. We bought in 2023 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
healthcare is strong here. government is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are wild for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's exactly what I was looking for. The outdoor scene is surprisingly 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. Oak Park schools are underrated. 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 entertainment options. And outdoor recreation can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 9/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
11 upvotes
Caleb Morris
preach
8 upvotes
Gabriella T.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a marketing manager who relocated here from San Diego about 9 years ago. The main reasons were my partner's job and quality of life.
Pros I've experienced:
- Lots of new development happening
- Good airport with direct flights
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Limited public transit options
- Limited high-paying job options
Financially, we've found it challenging compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are growing, gas is challenging.
Socially, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
4 upvotes
Sophie
My experience has been mostly positive. the quality of life is solid. The only thing I'd watch out for is school system. Other than that, It's not for everyone but it works for us..
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