Hello, I grew up here but left for a while. It's a a smaller city city with about 25,681 people. Median household income is $128,631, which feels pretty solid for the area. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years.
5 upvotes
9 Replies
Quinn Morales
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 1 years ago from Salt Lake City and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in West. It's better than expected for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in finance. If you're in engineering you might struggle.
People: Generally pretty good. It took about 17 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: surprisingly good. Tons of options if you like Mexican.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
29 upvotes
Axel Lee
My experience has been mostly positive. it's not perfect but it works for me. The only thing I'd watch out for is weather. Other than that, Good luck with whatever you decide..
24 upvotes
Mackenzie Jackson
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it was the best decision I ever made. Internet is improving in most areas.
24 upvotes
Paisley Cooper
Hot take but it's not perfect but it works for me. I know a lot of people disagree but after 3 years here, that's my honest assessment.
20 upvotes
Brooks Ruiz
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a project manager who relocated here from Boston about 10 years ago. The main reasons were a job opportunity and family.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Decent public transit for the size
Cons that are real:
- Road conditions need improvement
- Limited shopping options
Financially, we've found it excellent compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are manageable, gas is excellent.
Socially, I love the pace of life here. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
18 upvotes
Roger B.
Hot take but I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. I know a lot of people disagree but after 13 years here, that's my honest assessment.
11 upvotes
Benjamin Lee
wish I knew this sooner
9 upvotes
violet_native
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 10 years ago from Charlotte and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Uptown. It's underrated for what you get.
Jobs: The market is reasonable right now, especially in legal. If you're in engineering you might struggle.
People: Generally decent. It took about 16 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: pretty good. Tons of options if you like seafood.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
4 upvotes
Eliana
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 3 years. Moved from San Francisco for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is average. 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 3-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
hospitality is strong here. government is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are manageable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I have mixed feelings honestly. The outdoor scene is average - 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. 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 shopping options. Dating scene is rough. And public transit can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 6/10. It's not for everyone but it works for us.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
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