We're a young couple and Homes are going for about $628,500 on average. You can expect to pay around $2,081 for rent here. The median home value here is around $628,500, which is pretty steep. With a population of 51,629, Lincoln is a smaller city. Property taxes are high but you get good services. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Am I wrong here? Thanks in advance! The city has invested a lot in new development. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years.
14 upvotes
3 Replies
Jacob Baker
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 11 years. Moved from Minneapolis for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is better than expected. We bought in 2017 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
education is strong here. engineering is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are manageable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it was the best decision I ever made. 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 average. 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. Traffic during rush hour is rough. Can feel isolated. And outdoor recreation can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 9/10. It's not for everyone but it works for us.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
30 upvotes
colton_local
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Highland for 13 years. Moved from Seattle for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is pretty good. We bought in 2016 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
real estate is strong here. government 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 improved dramatically in recent years. The outdoor scene is average - we have rivers within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Highland schools are average. 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. Traffic during rush hour is rough. Limited entertainment options. And housing market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 5/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
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