Alright, I'm a 23-year-old pharmacist and Household incomes average around $123,835 in Lincolnia. Homes are going for about $632,200 on average. It's a a small town city with about 19,913 people. Rent is about $2,087/month for a decent place. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The weather takes some getting used to. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years.
4 upvotes
12 Replies
James C.
My experience has been mostly positive. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The only thing I'd watch out for is weather. Other than that, Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
37 upvotes
Caleb Walker
Bought a house here in 2020 and I genuinely enjoy living here. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
31 upvotes
Ariana Walker
hard disagree but ok
27 upvotes
Daniel Harris
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want walkability, then yeah this place is great. But if traffic matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
25 upvotes
Camila King
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 14 years ago from Tampa and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Fairview. It's challenging for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in construction. If you're in education you might struggle.
People: Generally hit or miss. It took about 12 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: decent. Tons of options if you like Southern.
No regrets on my end..
24 upvotes
David Watson
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem tough.
I've been here 8 years and I have mixed feelings honestly. The thing nobody mentions is pet-friendliness. It's stable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the job market is legit. And if you're into skiing, this place is excellent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Highland side vs the Springfield side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
17 upvotes
Owen K.
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is community vibe. it's been a really good experience overall. Worth doing your research before committing.
14 upvotes
Angel Thomas
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 Diego for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is surprisingly good. We bought in 2022 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
construction is strong here. manufacturing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are developing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I genuinely enjoy living here. The outdoor scene is pretty 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 excellent. 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. Rising rent and home prices. Can feel isolated. And nightlife can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 8/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
12 upvotes
Ava
Saving this thread
6 upvotes
Axel Cox
My experience has been mostly positive. the quality of life is solid. The only thing I'd watch out for is cultural scene. Other than that, Would recommend to anyone considering it..
5 upvotes
Cameron Moore
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 11 years ago from Minneapolis and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in North. It's surprisingly good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in finance. If you're in real estate you might struggle.
People: Generally hit or miss. It took about 13 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: better than expected. Tons of options if you like Italian.
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