Hey folks, I'm a college student here and You can expect to pay around $1,067 for rent here. Rent is about $1,067/month for a decent place. Median household income is $51,801, which feels on the lower side for the area. The median home value here is around $245,500, which is actually reasonable. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Thanks! The food scene here is surprisingly good. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse.
9 upvotes
14 Replies
Aria Nguyen
Used to live on the Cedar Grove side, now on the North side. Completely different vibe. I genuinely enjoy living here.
37 upvotes
Samuel Adams
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem average.
I've been here 15 years and it's not perfect but it works for me. The thing nobody mentions is traffic. It's manageable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the outdoor recreation is legit. And if you're into biking, this place is solid.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Lakewood side vs the Old Town side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Hope this helps!.
32 upvotes
Isla Scott
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value cultural scene, you'll love it. The job market is genuinely excellent and I've found I love the pace of life here. My neighborhood (Eastside) is wild and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Raleigh, be prepared for the culture shock. public transit 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.
30 upvotes
Maverick S.
this is the way
29 upvotes
Cora
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 9 years ago from San Diego and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Cedar Grove. It's pretty good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in education. If you're in healthcare you might struggle.
People: Generally tough. It took about 13 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: decent. Tons of options if you like Italian.
Hope this helps!.
29 upvotes
Oliver Turner
accurate
27 upvotes
Peyton Rogers
We moved here with our family and the quality of life is solid. Schools in Pine Hills area are improving. Kids love it here.
26 upvotes
Jeremiah Davis
This.
24 upvotes
Cheryl M.
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 weather is genuinely challenging and I've found it's exactly what I was looking for. My neighborhood (Downtown) is reasonable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Portland, be prepared for the culture shock. outdoor recreation is completely different here. And Urban sprawl is real.
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.
23 upvotes
Camila Brown
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value traffic, you'll love it. The walkability is genuinely surprisingly good and I've found the quality of life is solid. My neighborhood (Old Town) is established and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Chicago, 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.
21 upvotes
Santiago Rivera
Bought a house here in 2020 and it was the best decision I ever made. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
17 upvotes
Aaron Jimenez
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 12 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 Sunset. It's challenging for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in retail. If you're in construction you might struggle.
People: Generally hit or miss. It took about 15 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: excellent. Tons of options if you like farm-to-table.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
14 upvotes
Emily
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a accountant, 57, moved here 13 years ago from Minneapolis. I've lived in Old Town and Oak Park, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Four distinct seasons
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Homeless population growing downtown
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The community vibe situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Old Town: Great for families. 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 Minneapolis, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $100K-$140K 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.
7 upvotes
Natalie N.
I've lived in Oak Park for about 13 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I'm still on the fence after all this time. When I first moved here from Seattle, I was surprised by job market. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Strong job market in several industries
- Active local events and festivals
- The public transit scene is surprisingly good
The downsides:
- Road conditions need improvement
- Homeless population growing downtown
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for young professionals. Definitely worth checking out..
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