Random thought, Rent is about $1,897/month for a decent place. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Has anyone dealt with this?
4 upvotes
14 Replies
Asher Taylor
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a nurse, 39, moved here 7 years ago from Nashville. I've lived in Pine Hills and Sunset, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Low crime in most neighborhoods
2. Lots of new development happening
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. Not very walkable outside downtown
2. Can feel isolated
3. The public transit situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Pine Hills: Great for families. improving vibes, walkable.
- Sunset: 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 Nashville, everything felt average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $70K-$90K here.
**Final verdict:**
Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. 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.
24 upvotes
William Lee
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I have mixed feelings honestly. Internet is challenging in most areas.
24 upvotes
Greyson
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 1-bedroom. the quality of life is solid. Compared to Austin it's solid.
23 upvotes
Ian King
I'm a nurse and I've found there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The community is average and there's always something going on.
18 upvotes
Paisley Evans
as a local I can confirm
12 upvotes
Sarah
Used to live on the Sunset side, now on the Oak Park side. Completely different vibe. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
12 upvotes
Ruby Ruiz
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 Denver for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is excellent. We bought in 2019 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. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
finance is strong here. finance is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are affordable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's been a really good experience overall. The outdoor scene is better than expected - we have desert landscapes 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 decent. 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. Urban sprawl is real. Far from beaches/mountains. And weather can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 6/10. Would recommend to anyone considering it.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
11 upvotes
James Thomas
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Westside for 9 years. Moved from Salt Lake City for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is better than expected. We bought in 2016 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
real estate is strong here. healthcare is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are developing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I genuinely enjoy living here. The outdoor scene is improving - we have beaches within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Westside schools are better than expected. 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. Traffic during rush hour is rough. Far from beaches/mountains. And weather can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 9/10. Would recommend to anyone considering it.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
11 upvotes
Ellie J.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want safety, then yeah this place is great. But if public transit matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
9 upvotes
Emmett Kim
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a nurse who relocated here from Houston about 13 years ago. The main reasons were school and family.
Pros I've experienced:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Good internet infrastructure
- Four distinct seasons
Cons that are real:
- Homeless population growing downtown
- Far from beaches/mountains
Financially, we've found it decent compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are developing, gas is improving.
Socially, I genuinely enjoy living here. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
9 upvotes
Ezra Patel
Saving this thread
6 upvotes
Rebecca M.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Downtown for 9 years. Moved from Minneapolis for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is average. We bought in 2022 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**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:**
it's not perfect but it works for me. The outdoor scene is hit or miss - we have desert landscapes within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Downtown 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 public transit options. Property taxes are high. And job market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 9/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
5 upvotes
Savannah Garcia
Used to live on the South side, now on the Meadowbrook side. Completely different vibe. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
3 upvotes
Julia Rivera
I'm a chef and I've found there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The community is solid and there's always something going on.
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