We have two kids and Median household income is $83,093, which feels pretty solid for the area. Rent is about $1,577/month for a decent place. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Any advice would be great. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The weather takes some getting used to. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. The city has invested a lot in new development.
12 upvotes
15 Replies
Samuel P.
I've lived in East for about 4 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
the quality of life is solid. When I first moved here from San Francisco, I was surprised by traffic. 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 dating scene scene is decent
The downsides:
- Limited public transit options
- Road conditions need improvement
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for young professionals. Feel free to reach out with questions..
40 upvotes
Serenity Peterson
Moved here from Minneapolis about 5 years ago. it was the best decision I ever made. Still getting used to dating scene but It's not for everyone but it works for us..
38 upvotes
Nora S.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 11 years ago from Seattle and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Maple Ridge. It's decent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in construction. If you're in consulting you might struggle.
People: Generally challenging. It took about 13 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: underrated. Tons of options if you like craft beer.
Hope this helps!.
37 upvotes
Jayden Adams
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a real estate agent, 57, moved here 14 years ago from LA. I've lived in Westside and Cedar Grove, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Decent public transit for the size
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Rising rent and home prices
2. Limited shopping options
3. The housing market situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Westside: Great for singles. tough vibes, walkable.
- Cedar Grove: 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 LA, everything felt underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $70K-$80K 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.
32 upvotes
Luna H.
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is nightlife. it exceeded my expectations. Worth doing your research before committing.
29 upvotes
Wesley Garcia
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's exactly what I was looking for. Internet is solid in most areas.
25 upvotes
Mason Scott
Totally agree!
25 upvotes
Hannah Anderson
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 6 years. Moved from Minneapolis for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is hit or miss. We bought in 2023 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
hospitality is strong here. consulting is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are established for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I'm still on the fence after all this time. The outdoor scene is excellent - 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. 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. Dating scene is rough. Bugs and humidity in summer. And cultural scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 6/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
23 upvotes
Quinn Lopez
underrated comment
20 upvotes
Megan R.
underrated comment
15 upvotes
harper_native
Public transit is solid here. You'll probably need a car for most things. the quality of life is solid.
11 upvotes
Willie C.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 4 years ago from Seattle 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 Maple Ridge. It's improving for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in government. If you're in real estate you might struggle.
People: Generally improving. It took about 11 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: decent. Tons of options if you like BBQ.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
10 upvotes
Eli White
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a accountant, 36, moved here 12 years ago from Seattle. I've lived in Downtown and Riverside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Growing food and restaurant scene
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Chain restaurants dominate
3. The safety situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Downtown: Great for singles. underrated vibes, walkable.
- Riverside: 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 Seattle, everything felt underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $100K-$120K here.
**Final verdict:**
Good luck with whatever you decide.. 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.
9 upvotes
Joseph Diaz
We moved here with our family and I'm still on the fence after all this time. Schools in Eastside area are surprisingly good. Kids love it here.
7 upvotes
Walter R.
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is housing market. it's improved dramatically in recent years. Worth doing your research before committing.
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