Curious what people think. I'm a teacher here and Crime rate is something to consider -McLean sits at 130.5 per 100K. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Thoughts? 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. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look.
1 upvotes
30 Replies
Gianna Jones
exactly what I was thinking
37 upvotes
orlando_grace
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is housing market. I genuinely enjoy living here. Worth doing your research before committing.
33 upvotes
William R.
Moved here last year, no regrets.
31 upvotes
Olivia Bailey
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want safety, then yeah this place is great. But if traffic matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
30 upvotes
Brian R.
Can confirm, been here 5 years.
28 upvotes
Violet Kelly
noted, appreciate it
27 upvotes
Allison King
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want dating scene, then yeah this place is great. But if cultural scene matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
25 upvotes
Benjamin Rogers
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Internet is challenging in most areas.
25 upvotes
Judy S.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want walkability, then yeah this place is great. But if weather matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
23 upvotes
Caleb Roberts
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 Miami for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is decent. We bought in 2019 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
real estate is strong here. education 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:**
I genuinely enjoy living here. The outdoor scene is average - we have lakes 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 pretty 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. Rising rent and home prices. Nightlife is limited. And cost of living can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 7/10. Definitely worth checking out.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
23 upvotes
Kayden Rivera
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Highland for 7 years. Moved from Chicago for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is challenging. We bought in 2020 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:**
retail is strong here. manufacturing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are growing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I'm still on the fence after all this time. The outdoor scene is hit or miss - 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. Highland schools are challenging. 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 entertainment options. Bugs and humidity in summer. And pet-friendliness can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 9/10. It's not for everyone but it works for us.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
22 upvotes
Easton Wilson
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a physical therapist, 41, moved here 6 years ago from Denver. I've lived in Meadowbrook and The Heights, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Low crime in most neighborhoods
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally better than expected - 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 food scene situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Meadowbrook: Great for retirees. underrated vibes, walkable.
- The Heights: 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 Denver, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $60K-$80K here.
**Final verdict:**
Feel free to reach out with questions.. 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
Luca White
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a real estate agent, 35, moved here 7 years ago from San Diego. I've lived in Sunset and Old Town, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Lots of new development happening
2. Active local events and festivals
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. Urban sprawl is real
2. Limited shopping options
3. The pet-friendliness situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Sunset: Great for remote workers. average vibes, walkable.
- Old Town: 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 improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $50K-$70K 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.
20 upvotes
Gloria H.
Public transit is underrated here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's not perfect but it works for me.
20 upvotes
William Cruz
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a physical therapist who relocated here from Raleigh about 6 years ago. The main reasons were work and my partner's job.
Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Strong job market in several industries
- Affordable housing options
Cons that are real:
- Nightlife is limited
- Property taxes are high
Financially, we've found it better than expected compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are competitive, gas is pretty good.
Socially, the quality of life is solid. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
19 upvotes
Audrey Carter
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value nightlife, you'll love it. The cultural scene is genuinely tough and I've found I genuinely enjoy living here. My neighborhood (Downtown) is competitive and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Houston, be prepared for the culture shock. walkability 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.
18 upvotes
Kayden S.
+1
18 upvotes
orlandopapa2022
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want nightlife, then yeah this place is great. But if dating scene matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
17 upvotes
Mia M.
good to know, thanks
16 upvotes
Carter Diaz
I've been living here for 1 years and I'd say the quality of life is solid. The dating scene is hit or miss compared to other places I've lived. Overall Would recommend to anyone considering it..
14 upvotes
Allison Hernandez
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 3-bedroom. it's not perfect but it works for me. Compared to Boston it's better than expected.
14 upvotes
Xavier Rogers
100%
13 upvotes
Eleanor
lol so true
11 upvotes
Harper Jones
My experience has been mostly positive. I genuinely enjoy living here. The only thing I'd watch out for is healthcare. Other than that, It's not for everyone but it works for us..
10 upvotes
Sophie
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Internet is hit or miss in most areas.
4 upvotes
Mateo B.
I've lived in Oak Park for about 5 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. When I first moved here from Seattle, I was surprised by housing market. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good schools in most areas
- Good internet infrastructure
- The walkability scene is decent
The downsides:
- Limited shopping options
- Dating scene is rough
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for families. Happy to answer more specific questions..
3 upvotes
Aiden Gomez
nah I disagree
3 upvotes
Michelle A.
as a local I can confirm
1 upvotes
Camila Ruiz
100%
0 upvotes
Bennett R.
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.
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