OK so Just moved here 3 months ago and You can expect to pay around $921 for rent here. Homes are going for about $173,200 on average. Poverty rate is 23.3%, which is higher than I expected. It's a a smaller city city with about 32,104 people. The city has invested a lot in new development. The food scene here is surprisingly good. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. What neighborhoods would you suggest? It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The city has invested a lot in new development. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The weather takes some getting used to. The suburbs are where most families end up. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years.
4 upvotes
21 Replies
Samuel
As someone who grew up here, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. A lot has changed in the past few years though. food scene used to be much reasonable but now it's solid.
37 upvotes
nola_anna
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem average.
I've been here 9 years and it was the best decision I ever made. The thing nobody mentions is public transit. It's reasonable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the food scene is legit. And if you're into biking, this place is challenging.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Old Town side vs the Fairview side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
36 upvotes
John Chavez
haha yep pretty much
36 upvotes
Lisa W.
underrated comment
35 upvotes
Serenity Peterson
hard disagree but ok
34 upvotes
Henry Cruz
Bought a house here in 2020 and it's improved dramatically in recent years. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
34 upvotes
Landon
Bought a house here in 2018 and it exceeded my expectations. Property values have gone up significantly since then.
28 upvotes
Naomi Lopez
not my experience at all
20 upvotes
David Ramirez
I've lived in Oak Park for about 10 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it exceeded my expectations. When I first moved here from Dallas, I was surprised by school system. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Good healthcare facilities
- The outdoor recreation scene is improving
The downsides:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Road conditions need improvement
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for remote workers. Feel free to reach out with questions..
18 upvotes
Elijah Nguyen
yeah no that's not right
18 upvotes
Gianna Mendoza
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a accountant who relocated here from Nashville about 12 years ago. The main reasons were quality of life and work.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Good schools in most areas
- Nice parks and green spaces
Cons that are real:
- Winters are long and cold
- Road conditions need improvement
Financially, we've found it surprisingly good compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are stable, gas is average.
Socially, it exceeded my expectations. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
16 upvotes
Weston J.
The food scene here is decent. Tons of great sushi places. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now.
14 upvotes
Victoria Reed
We moved here with our family and it's improved dramatically in recent years. Schools in Uptown area are challenging. Kids love it here.
14 upvotes
Ruby
hmm interesting perspective
14 upvotes
Angel H.
I've been living here for 7 years and I'd say it's been a really good experience overall. The walkability is solid compared to other places I've lived. Overall Would recommend to anyone considering it..
11 upvotes
Matthew Nguyen
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a teacher, 44, moved here 2 years ago from Charlotte. I've lived in Lakewood and Sunset, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Strong job market in several industries
2. Affordable housing options
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Can feel isolated
3. The community vibe situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Lakewood: Great for couples. solid 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 Charlotte, everything felt decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $40K-$90K here.
**Final verdict:**
It's not for everyone but it works for us.. 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.
10 upvotes
Eleanor Martinez
I work in legal here and the quality of life is solid. The job market for my field is improving. Good luck with whatever you decide..
10 upvotes
Hazel Torres
been saying this for years
10 upvotes
Natalie White
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value job market, you'll love it. The cost of living is genuinely average and I've found I have mixed feelings honestly. My neighborhood (Midtown) is affordable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Dallas, be prepared for the culture shock. community vibe is completely different here. And Not very walkable outside downtown.
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.
5 upvotes
Nathan Davis
Came here for a job opportunity and stayed because I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The weather is honestly average and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
4 upvotes
Melanie Castillo
I've been living here for 14 years and I'd say I have mixed feelings honestly. The safety is hit or miss compared to other places I've lived. Overall It's not for everyone but it works for us..
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