Hey, My family moved here when I was a kid. It's a a mid-size city city with about 115K people. The median home value here is around $395,100, which seems about average. Homes are going for about $395,100 on average. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Property taxes are high but you get good services. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The city has invested a lot in new development. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting.
39 upvotes
10 Replies
Aubrey L.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a lawyer who relocated here from Boston about 11 years ago. The main reasons were school and work.
Pros I've experienced:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Affordable housing options
- Diverse dining options
Cons that are real:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Road conditions need improvement
Financially, we've found it underrated compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are pricey, gas is excellent.
Socially, the quality of life is solid. Happy to answer more specific questions..
34 upvotes
Luca J.
I've lived in Uptown for about 10 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. When I first moved here from Dallas, I was surprised by traffic. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Four distinct seasons
- The healthcare scene is pretty good
The downsides:
- Nightlife is limited
- Dating scene is rough
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for young professionals. Feel free to reach out with questions..
33 upvotes
Dorothy W.
same here
32 upvotes
Claire Sanchez
thanks for sharing
31 upvotes
Austin Parker
haha yep pretty much
23 upvotes
adeline_guy
I'm a contractor and I've found there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The community is solid and there's always something going on.
17 upvotes
Eleanor Clark
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a nurse, 58, moved here 7 years ago from San Francisco. I've lived in Uptown and Sunset, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Decent public transit for the size
2. Lots of new development happening
3. Close to major attractions
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Dating scene is rough
3. The walkability situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Uptown: Great for retirees. decent vibes, walkable.
- Sunset: 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 San Francisco, everything felt decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $90K-$130K 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.
14 upvotes
Kyle P.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 7 years ago from Portland and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Highland. It's challenging for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in tech. If you're in manufacturing you might struggle.
People: Generally pretty good. It took about 15 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: better than expected. Tons of options if you like Asian.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
8 upvotes
Thomas Rogers
not my experience at all
3 upvotes
Silas Nguyen
I've lived in Oak Park for about 11 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I genuinely enjoy living here. When I first moved here from San Francisco, I was surprised by school system. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Strong job market in several industries
- The outdoor recreation scene is hit or miss
The downsides:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Road conditions need improvement
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for singles. Hope this helps!.
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