Hi all, Been living here since 2017. Rent is about $1,218/month for a decent place. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Am I overthinking this?
10 upvotes
12 Replies
la_nicholas
I've been living here for 4 years and I'd say it's exactly what I was looking for. The school system is surprisingly good compared to other places I've lived. Overall Happy to answer more specific questions..
40 upvotes
Kinsley Morris
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 4-bedroom. I genuinely enjoy living here. Compared to Denver it's pretty good.
38 upvotes
Aurora Wright
nah I disagree
37 upvotes
Colton Clark
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a contractor, 58, moved here 7 years ago from Salt Lake City. I've lived in Oak Park and East, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Lots of new development happening
2. Close to major attractions
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
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. Property taxes are high
3. The job market situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Oak Park: Great for singles. solid vibes, walkable.
- East: 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 Salt Lake City, everything felt underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $50K-$70K 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.
35 upvotes
Cora Kim
literally same
34 upvotes
Gabriella K.
I've lived in Uptown for about 3 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's exactly what I was looking for. When I first moved here from Salt Lake City, I was surprised by weather. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Four distinct seasons
- The traffic scene is decent
The downsides:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Property taxes are high
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for retirees. Definitely worth checking out..
31 upvotes
Emily Diaz
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem average.
I've been here 3 years and it exceeded my expectations. The thing nobody mentions is walkability. It's stable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the school system is legit. And if you're into rock climbing, this place is solid.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Eastside side vs the Uptown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
23 upvotes
Madelyn Edwards
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 8 years. Moved from Phoenix for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is hit or miss. We bought in 2021 at k and it's now worth up a bit 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:**
legal is strong here. education 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 genuinely enjoy living here. The outdoor scene is pretty good - we have hiking trails 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 surprisingly good. 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 high-paying job options. Limited entertainment options. And dating scene 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.
20 upvotes
genesis_mind
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 1 years ago from New York and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Maple Ridge. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in construction. If you're in hospitality you might struggle.
People: Generally hit or miss. It took about 14 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: tough. Tons of options if you like Mexican.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
8 upvotes
Reagan Ward
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Cedar Grove for 6 years. Moved from Tampa for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is tough. We bought in 2022 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:**
real estate is strong here. marketing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are reasonable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
the quality of life is solid. The outdoor scene is tough - 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. Cedar Grove schools are hit or miss. 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. Winters are long and cold. Dating scene is rough. And job market 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.
7 upvotes
Brielle Price
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is pet-friendliness. it's exactly what I was looking for. Worth doing your research before committing.
6 upvotes
Kennedy Anderson
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value cost of living, you'll love it. The healthcare is genuinely tough and I've found the quality of life is solid. My neighborhood (South) is reasonable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Salt Lake City, be prepared for the culture shock. community vibe is completely different here. And Traffic during rush hour is rough.
My advice would be to visit for at least a week before committing. Rent first, don't buy. And explore multiple neighborhoods - they're all different.
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