Been living here since 2008. Average temperature is around 58--F, so the weather is moderate. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Any advice would be great. The suburbs are where most families end up. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood.
4 upvotes
7 Replies
Scott W.
Used to live on the Greenfield side, now on the Oak Park side. Completely different vibe. it's improved dramatically in recent years.
31 upvotes
Helen C.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a writer, 58, moved here 12 years ago from Nashville. I've lived in North and Lakewood, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Chain restaurants dominate
2. Road conditions need improvement
3. The pet-friendliness situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- North: Great for retirees. solid 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 Nashville, everything felt challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $40K-$140K 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.
30 upvotes
Dominic C.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 1 years ago from Raleigh and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Meadowbrook. It's solid for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in tech. If you're in real estate you might struggle.
People: Generally pretty good. It took about 14 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: pretty good. Tons of options if you like Thai.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
24 upvotes
Scarlett Morales
Came here for a fresh start and stayed because it's been a really good experience overall. The pet-friendliness is honestly solid and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
24 upvotes
Madeline Bennett
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 Salt Lake City for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is better than expected. We bought in 2022 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
government is strong here. construction is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are stable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it exceeded my expectations. The outdoor scene is decent - we have biking trails 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 underrated. 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. Not very walkable outside downtown. Homeless population growing downtown. And walkability can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 6/10. Would recommend to anyone considering it.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
16 upvotes
Genesis Lewis
honestly same experience here
5 upvotes
Arianna E.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Internet is tough in most areas.
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