First post here. I've been here for 15 years and Homes are going for about $243,700 on average. It's a a smaller city city with about 53,951 people. The unemployment rate is 2.9%, which is pretty low. You can expect to pay around $1,019 for rent here. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The weather takes some getting used to. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Night life is decent if you know the right spots.
3 upvotes
10 Replies
Willow N.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a data analyst, 29, moved here 10 years ago from Phoenix. I've lived in Oak Park and Pine Hills, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Good airport with direct flights
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited shopping options
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The cost of living situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Oak Park: Great for families. decent vibes, walkable.
- Pine Hills: 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 pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $80K-$80K here.
**Final verdict:**
Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. 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.
38 upvotes
Axel W.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a electrician who relocated here from Seattle about 4 years ago. The main reasons were a job opportunity and retirement.
Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
Cons that are real:
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
- Road conditions need improvement
Financially, we've found it challenging compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are wild, gas is improving.
Socially, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Hope this helps!.
32 upvotes
Quinn Torres
hard disagree but ok
31 upvotes
Samuel Garcia
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 12 years. Moved from Pittsburgh for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is surprisingly good. We bought in 2018 at k and it's now worth about the same 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:**
construction is strong here. legal 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:**
the quality of life is solid. The outdoor scene is average - we have mountains 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. Not very walkable outside downtown. Homeless population growing downtown. And outdoor recreation can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 5/10. It's not for everyone but it works for us.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
31 upvotes
Ruby Morales
hard disagree but ok
27 upvotes
Miles Robinson
As someone who grew up here, I love the pace of life here. A lot has changed in the past few years though. housing market used to be much growing but now it's average.
26 upvotes
Roman Howard
Came here for weather and stayed because it exceeded my expectations. The community vibe is honestly average and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
23 upvotes
Luca Nelson
This.
11 upvotes
Eli B.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem average.
I've been here 14 years and I have mixed feelings honestly. The thing nobody mentions is public transit. It's stable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the community vibe is legit. And if you're into camping, this place is pretty good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Westside side vs the The Heights side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
9 upvotes
Alexa Clark
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Greenfield for 6 years. Moved from Pittsburgh for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is pretty good. We bought in 2023 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. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
engineering is strong here. retail 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 average - 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. Greenfield 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. Can feel isolated. And cultural scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 9/10. Definitely worth checking out.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
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