Been meaning to ask this. Crime rate is something to consider -Mart sits at 98.1 per 100K. Homes are going for about $115,800 on average. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. What are your go-to spots?
11 upvotes
9 Replies
madeline_native
Moved here from Portland about 9 years ago. it's improved dramatically in recent years. Still getting used to job market but Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
39 upvotes
Patricia T.
seconding this
28 upvotes
Jeremiah Ortiz
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a real estate agent, 56, moved here 3 years ago from San Diego. I've lived in Downtown and Oak Park, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good healthcare facilities
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not very walkable outside downtown
2. Can feel isolated
3. The school system situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Downtown: Great for remote workers. improving vibes, walkable.
- Oak Park: 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 Diego, everything felt solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $100K-$130K 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.
22 upvotes
Grayson Cook
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a writer, 32, moved here 8 years ago from New York. I've lived in Springfield and Westside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Good healthcare facilities
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Urban sprawl is real
3. The food scene situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Springfield: Great for young professionals. challenging vibes, walkable.
- Westside: 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 New York, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $60K-$120K 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.
20 upvotes
Bella Diaz
I've lived in Oak Park for about 13 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 Boston, I was surprised by cultural scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Good airport with direct flights
- The walkability scene is challenging
The downsides:
- Can feel isolated
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for families. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
18 upvotes
Carson Hernandez
been saying this for years
16 upvotes
Naomi Hughes
hard disagree but ok
16 upvotes
Olivia H.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 1 years ago from Seattle and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in The Heights. It's challenging for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in consulting. If you're in retail you might struggle.
People: Generally surprisingly good. It took about 5 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: decent. Tons of options if you like seafood.
Definitely worth checking out..
4 upvotes
Anna H.
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are tough, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
All Countries
