Hey, I'm a 40-year-old social worker and The weather takes some getting used to.
30 upvotes
21 Replies
William Patel
As someone who grew up here, I genuinely enjoy living here. A lot has changed in the past few years though. community vibe used to be much stable but now it's excellent.
40 upvotes
Gabriella Johnson
Public transit is hit or miss here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it was the best decision I ever made.
38 upvotes
Arianna Hill
seconding this
35 upvotes
Alexander Bailey
Bought a house here in 2024 and I genuinely enjoy living here. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
34 upvotes
Kennedy Gutierrez
Public transit is excellent here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it was the best decision I ever made.
33 upvotes
Luca
couldn't agree more
33 upvotes
local_grayson89
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a data analyst, 57, moved here 5 years ago from Phoenix. I've lived in Midtown and Fairview, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited entertainment options
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The dating scene situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Midtown: Great for retirees. improving vibes, walkable.
- Fairview: 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 Phoenix, everything felt better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $60K-$140K here.
**Final verdict:**
Would recommend to anyone considering it.. 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.
31 upvotes
Parker Mendoza
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a chef, 34, moved here 14 years ago from Chicago. I've lived in Uptown and Springfield, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Nice parks and green spaces
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Four distinct seasons
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Nightlife is limited
2. Limited high-paying job options
3. The public transit situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Uptown: Great for families. improving vibes, walkable.
- Springfield: 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 average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $50K-$150K 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.
30 upvotes
Liam
My experience has been mostly positive. the quality of life is solid. The only thing I'd watch out for is job market. Other than that, Feel free to reach out with questions..
24 upvotes
Lillian Morgan
noted, appreciate it
24 upvotes
Brooks R.
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 10 years. Moved from Seattle for a job opportunity. 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 3-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
hospitality is strong here. real estate 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:**
it was the best decision I ever made. The outdoor scene is pretty good - 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. Oak Park schools are challenging. 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. Bugs and humidity in summer. And public transit can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 8/10. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
23 upvotes
Sadie Long
I've lived in The Heights for about 1 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it was the best decision I ever made. When I first moved here from Nashville, I was surprised by walkability. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Active local events and festivals
- The traffic scene is hit or miss
The downsides:
- Property taxes are high
- Dating scene is rough
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for families. Feel free to reach out with questions..
23 upvotes
nycguy2020
yeah no that's not right
20 upvotes
Alexa
as a local I can confirm
19 upvotes
Eli Flores
yep
18 upvotes
Bennett Wilson
accurate
13 upvotes
Emmett Gonzalez
Totally agree!
12 upvotes
Amelia Nguyen
I've lived in Lakewood for about 8 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I'm still on the fence after all this time. When I first moved here from San Diego, I was surprised by dating scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Decent public transit for the size
- The community vibe scene is hit or miss
The downsides:
- Can feel isolated
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for young professionals. Feel free to reach out with questions..
12 upvotes
Weston D.
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 3-bedroom. it's been a really good experience overall. Compared to New York it's average.
11 upvotes
Nora D.
Weather-wise, the summers are average and winters are developing. You get used to it after the first year.
10 upvotes
Dylan S.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Midtown for 7 years. Moved from Chicago for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is solid. We bought in 2019 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
retail is strong here. healthcare is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are growing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
the quality of life is solid. The outdoor scene is improving - 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. Midtown schools are challenging. 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. Limited shopping options. And community vibe can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 6/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.