Random thought, Just moved here 18 months ago and The unemployment rate is 2.7%, which is pretty low. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Any advice would be great. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The city has invested a lot in new development.
26 upvotes
11 Replies
minneapolisvibes2024
The food scene here is better than expected. Tons of great BBQ places. I'm still on the fence after all this time.
35 upvotes
Kinsley
Weather-wise, the summers are surprisingly good and winters are manageable. You get used to it after the first year.
34 upvotes
Landon Wilson
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 9 years ago from New York and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in West. It's surprisingly good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in manufacturing. If you're in retail you might struggle.
People: Generally improving. It took about 17 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: underrated. Tons of options if you like farm-to-table.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
32 upvotes
Aiden W.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a lawyer who relocated here from Phoenix about 11 years ago. The main reasons were a fresh start and a fresh start.
Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Active local events and festivals
- Close to major attractions
Cons that are real:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Dating scene is rough
Financially, we've found it challenging compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are stable, gas is excellent.
Socially, I have mixed feelings honestly. Feel free to reach out with questions..
32 upvotes
Bella M.
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 13 years. Moved from Charlotte for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is better than expected. We bought in 2016 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. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
real estate is strong here. tech 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's been a really good experience overall. The outdoor scene is underrated - 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. Oak Park schools are better than expected. 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. Nightlife is limited. Far from beaches/mountains. And cost of living can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 9/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
23 upvotes
sacramento_ezekiel
bump
18 upvotes
Matthew Cooper
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are underrated, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
13 upvotes
oaklandwalker2024
I work in marketing here and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The job market for my field is tough. Feel free to reach out with questions..
11 upvotes
Maya Price
great question, following
5 upvotes
sacramento_elena
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I'm still on the fence after all this time. Happy to answer more specific questions..
3 upvotes
Grace Torres
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in The Heights for 11 years. Moved from San Francisco for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is improving. We bought in 2022 at k and it's now worth about the same 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:**
consulting is strong here. healthcare 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:**
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The outdoor scene is solid - we have desert landscapes within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. The Heights schools are better than expected. 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. Limited public transit options. Nightlife is limited. And weather can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 6/10. Definitely worth checking out.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
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