Hello, I'm a 35-year-old marketing manager and Homes are going for about $580,900 on average. You can expect to pay around $1,619 for rent here. Median household income is $64,248, which feels about average for the area. It's a a smaller city city with about 55,960 people. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. What neighborhoods would you suggest? Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. The suburbs are where most families end up. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The weather takes some getting used to. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood.
19 upvotes
22 Replies
Ava
Moved here from Denver about 1 years ago. I genuinely enjoy living here. Still getting used to cost of living but It's not for everyone but it works for us..
39 upvotes
Landon King
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is cost of living. I have mixed feelings honestly. Worth doing your research before committing.
38 upvotes
Hunter Garcia
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value nightlife, you'll love it. The job market is genuinely hit or miss and I've found I have mixed feelings honestly. My neighborhood (Lakewood) is reasonable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Chicago, be prepared for the culture shock. nightlife 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.
36 upvotes
Alice Phillips
Weather-wise, the summers are average and winters are reasonable. You get used to it after the first year.
32 upvotes
charlotte_fan
I've lived in Oak Park for about 13 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I genuinely enjoy living here. When I first moved here from Minneapolis, I was surprised by job market. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Good schools in most areas
- The school system scene is excellent
The downsides:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Road conditions need improvement
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for singles. Definitely worth checking out..
32 upvotes
Caleb Garcia
As someone who grew up here, it's exactly what I was looking for. A lot has changed in the past few years though. job market used to be much established but now it's solid.
27 upvotes
true_violet59
I've lived in Cedar Grove for about 12 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 San Diego, I was surprised by food scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Good healthcare facilities
- The pet-friendliness scene is average
The downsides:
- Limited high-paying job options
- Dating scene is rough
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for singles. Hope this helps!.
27 upvotes
sacramentokid2021
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are challenging, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
26 upvotes
Logan L.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a marketing manager, 38, moved here 14 years ago from Portland. I've lived in Pine Hills and Highland, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Close to major attractions
2. Affordable housing options
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Rising rent and home prices
2. Limited shopping options
3. The healthcare situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Pine Hills: Great for young professionals. hit or miss vibes, walkable.
- Highland: 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 Portland, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $90K-$90K here.
**Final verdict:**
Definitely worth checking out.. 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.
26 upvotes
Evan Parker
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value nightlife, you'll love it. The walkability is genuinely surprisingly good and I've found I'm still on the fence after all this time. My neighborhood (Springfield) is reasonable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Salt Lake City, be prepared for the culture shock. job market 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.
25 upvotes
Carter Walker
We moved here with our family and I'm still on the fence after all this time. Schools in Old Town area are underrated. Kids love it here.
24 upvotes
harper_soul
My experience has been mostly positive. I love the pace of life here. The only thing I'd watch out for is school system. Other than that, Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
18 upvotes
Levi Stewart
Came here for my partner's job and stayed because I love the pace of life here. The nightlife is honestly average and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
17 upvotes
Emily Murphy
hard disagree but ok
14 upvotes
Lydia Lewis
literally same
13 upvotes
Alexa
I'm a nurse and I've found it's improved dramatically in recent years. The community is decent and there's always something going on.
12 upvotes
Declan Walker
I work in consulting here and it's improved dramatically in recent years. The job market for my field is improving. Happy to answer more specific questions..
8 upvotes
William Lopez
Can confirm, been here 14 years.
8 upvotes
Sophia
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Pine Hills for 2 years. Moved from Nashville for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is hit or miss. We bought in 2023 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
real estate is strong here. engineering is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are pricey for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I love the pace of life here. The outdoor scene is improving - we have ski resorts within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Pine Hills schools are challenging. 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. Winters are long and cold. Can feel isolated. And dating scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 9/10. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
3 upvotes
bostonnative2025
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 14 years ago from Austin and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Riverside. It's underrated for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in legal. If you're in marketing you might struggle.
People: Generally surprisingly good. It took about 14 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: improving. Tons of options if you like BBQ.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
1 upvotes
Jonathan Bailey
glad someone said it
1 upvotes
Adam N.
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is community vibe. it's exactly what I was looking for. Worth doing your research before committing.
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