I've been here for 11 years and Median household income is $148,291, which feels pretty solid for the area. The food scene here is surprisingly good. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse.
8 upvotes
13 Replies
Cooper Edwards
preach
38 upvotes
Ezekiel Kelly
Weather-wise, the summers are underrated and winters are manageable. You get used to it after the first year.
38 upvotes
Abigail Gray
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I genuinely enjoy living here. Internet is average in most areas.
36 upvotes
Oliver Gomez
Bought a house here in 2018 and I have mixed feelings honestly. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
33 upvotes
Joseph Jones
My experience has been mostly positive. I have mixed feelings honestly. The only thing I'd watch out for is job market. Other than that, It's not for everyone but it works for us..
25 upvotes
Aaliyah M.
Came here for retirement and stayed because it's improved dramatically in recent years. The pet-friendliness is honestly solid and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
19 upvotes
Silas Stewart
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem pretty good.
I've been here 9 years and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The thing nobody mentions is community vibe. It's reasonable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the nightlife is legit. And if you're into rock climbing, this place is excellent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Uptown side vs the Midtown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
No regrets on my end..
19 upvotes
Isabelle Peterson
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is nightlife. it's not perfect but it works for me. Worth doing your research before committing.
19 upvotes
Isabelle Baker
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is pet-friendliness. I love the pace of life here. Worth doing your research before committing.
15 upvotes
Allison Hill
As someone who grew up here, it's improved dramatically in recent years. A lot has changed in the past few years though. walkability used to be much developing but now it's better than expected.
6 upvotes
Declan T.
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 2 years. Moved from Miami for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is average. We bought in 2020 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. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
engineering is strong here. retail 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:**
it's not perfect but it works for me. The outdoor scene is tough - 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. 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. Can feel isolated. Homeless population growing downtown. And school system can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 6/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
5 upvotes
Ava B.
I've lived in East for about 10 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it exceeded my expectations. When I first moved here from Boston, I was surprised by outdoor recreation. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Good schools in most areas
- The outdoor recreation scene is challenging
The downsides:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Chain restaurants dominate
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for retirees. No regrets on my end..
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