OK so I grew up here but left for a while. Average temperature is around 51--F, so expect cold winters. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Property taxes are high but you get good services. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much.
26 upvotes
30 Replies
Maya G.
big facts right here
40 upvotes
Leo Walker
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is pet-friendliness. I have mixed feelings honestly. Worth doing your research before committing.
38 upvotes
Waylon Gonzalez
glad someone said it
38 upvotes
Brielle Davis
My experience has been mostly positive. it's improved dramatically in recent years. The only thing I'd watch out for is community vibe. Other than that, Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
38 upvotes
Savannah Lopez
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are hit or miss, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
38 upvotes
Savannah Castillo
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a teacher who relocated here from San Diego about 10 years ago. The main reasons were retirement and my partner's job.
Pros I've experienced:
- Active local events and festivals
- Four distinct seasons
- Affordable housing options
Cons that are real:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Limited high-paying job options
Financially, we've found it solid compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are manageable, gas is pretty good.
Socially, it's not perfect but it works for me. Definitely worth checking out..
38 upvotes
Jacob
yeah no that's not right
37 upvotes
Hannah Patel
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a nurse, 31, moved here 7 years ago from Dallas. I've lived in Midtown and Greenfield, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Strong job market in several industries
2. Affordable housing options
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Chain restaurants dominate
3. The cost of living situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Midtown: Great for couples. solid vibes, walkable.
- Greenfield: 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 Dallas, everything felt tough. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $100K-$130K here.
**Final verdict:**
Happy to answer more specific 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.
37 upvotes
Leo H.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem hit or miss.
I've been here 14 years and I genuinely enjoy living here. The thing nobody mentions is housing market. It's pricey and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the healthcare is legit. And if you're into kayaking, this place is tough.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Old Town side vs the North side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Definitely worth checking out..
36 upvotes
Elijah Wood
Public transit is hit or miss here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's not perfect but it works for me.
31 upvotes
Lillian Gomez
Used to live on the Highland side, now on the Old Town side. Completely different vibe. I have mixed feelings honestly.
30 upvotes
Riley
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value dating scene, you'll love it. The dating scene is genuinely pretty good and I've found it's not perfect but it works for me. My neighborhood (Uptown) is manageable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from San Diego, be prepared for the culture shock. dating scene is completely different here. And Limited public transit options.
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.
27 upvotes
Quinn Johnson
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 11 years. Moved from Chicago for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is underrated. We bought in 2023 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
consulting is strong here. construction 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 improved dramatically in recent years. The outdoor scene is surprisingly good - 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. 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. Traffic during rush hour is rough. Not a lot of cultural diversity. And outdoor recreation can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 5/10. Hope this helps!. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
26 upvotes
Matthew
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a physical therapist who relocated here from Nashville about 4 years ago. The main reasons were quality of life and weather.
Pros I've experienced:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Good airport with direct flights
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Limited entertainment options
Financially, we've found it decent compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are manageable, gas is surprisingly good.
Socially, I'm still on the fence after all this time. Happy to answer more specific questions..
23 upvotes
Scarlett Edwards
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Definitely worth checking out..
22 upvotes
nycmind2021
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 11 years ago from LA and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in East. It's tough for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in tech. If you're in finance you might struggle.
People: Generally pretty good. It took about 7 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: surprisingly good. Tons of options if you like Asian.
Hope this helps!.
20 upvotes
Robert Diaz
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 9 years ago from LA and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Pine Hills. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in marketing. If you're in engineering you might struggle.
People: Generally excellent. It took about 11 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: decent. Tons of options if you like BBQ.
No regrets on my end..
18 upvotes
Jace
Came here for retirement and stayed because it exceeded my expectations. The public transit is honestly hit or miss and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
16 upvotes
Jonathan Alvarez
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 11 years. Moved from Chicago for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is decent. We bought in 2015 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. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
retail is strong here. healthcare is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are competitive for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
the quality of life is solid. The outdoor scene is tough - 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 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. Summers can be brutally hot. Limited shopping options. And nightlife can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 6/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
16 upvotes
Alexa
honestly same experience here
16 upvotes
Anthony M.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a accountant, 25, moved here 9 years ago from Charlotte. I've lived in North and Lakewood, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Active local events and festivals
2. Diverse dining options
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Nightlife is limited
2. Can feel isolated
3. The job market situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- North: Great for couples. average vibes, walkable.
- Lakewood: 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 Charlotte, everything felt decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $70K-$80K here.
**Final verdict:**
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. 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.
12 upvotes
Camila Jimenez
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value food scene, you'll love it. The safety is genuinely better than expected and I've found it's exactly what I was looking for. My neighborhood (Highland) is competitive and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Boston, be prepared for the culture shock. walkability is completely different here. And Road conditions need improvement.
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.
11 upvotes
Isabella J.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a contractor who relocated here from Charlotte about 13 years ago. The main reasons were a job opportunity and school.
Pros I've experienced:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Decent public transit for the size
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Can feel isolated
Financially, we've found it better than expected compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are stable, gas is average.
Socially, it exceeded my expectations. Good luck with whatever you decide..
11 upvotes
Luna Martinez
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Riverside for 2 years. Moved from Seattle for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is tough. We bought in 2021 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
legal 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:**
it's been a really good experience overall. The outdoor scene is hit or miss - 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. Riverside 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. Limited public transit options. Winters are long and cold. And community vibe can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 6/10. Would recommend to anyone considering it.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
7 upvotes
Sarah
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a software engineer who relocated here from Denver about 2 years ago. The main reasons were quality of life and work.
Pros I've experienced:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Decent public transit for the size
- Diverse dining options
Cons that are real:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Dating scene is rough
Financially, we've found it excellent compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are pricey, gas is better than expected.
Socially, it's exactly what I was looking for. No regrets on my end..
7 upvotes
Elena Myers
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's not perfect but it works for me. Internet is challenging in most areas.
7 upvotes
Camila K.
I've lived in Lakewood for about 11 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 Charlotte, I was surprised by housing market. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Active local events and festivals
- The safety scene is decent
The downsides:
- Property taxes are high
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for singles. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
7 upvotes
Grace J.
honestly same experience here
2 upvotes
Maya C.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a contractor who relocated here from Chicago about 8 years ago. The main reasons were retirement and my partner's job.
Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Good internet infrastructure
- Good airport with direct flights
Cons that are real:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Chain restaurants dominate
Financially, we've found it average compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are competitive, gas is improving.
Socially, it exceeded my expectations. Hope this helps!.
2 upvotes
Rachel K.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Downtown for 14 years. Moved from Charlotte for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is better than expected. We bought in 2023 at k and it's now worth down slightly 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:**
marketing 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:**
I'm still on the fence after all this time. 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. Downtown schools are improving. 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. Bugs and humidity in summer. And weather can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 6/10. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
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