I'm retired and Rent is about $716/month for a decent place. With a population of 7,998, Nevada is a small town. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Would love some local perspective.
5 upvotes
13 Replies
Grace Peterson
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a chef, 32, moved here 12 years ago from Austin. I've lived in Lakewood and Eastside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not a lot of cultural diversity
2. Can feel isolated
3. The cultural scene situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Lakewood: Great for families. solid vibes, walkable.
- Eastside: 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 Austin, everything felt solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $100K-$140K here.
**Final verdict:**
Good luck with whatever you decide.. 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.
36 upvotes
Aiden Wood
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is school system. it's not perfect but it works for me. Worth doing your research before committing.
33 upvotes
Asher W.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value housing market, you'll love it. The public transit is genuinely challenging and I've found I genuinely enjoy living here. My neighborhood (Eastside) is growing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Minneapolis, be prepared for the culture shock. walkability is completely different here. And Winters are long and cold.
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.
31 upvotes
Evelyn Young
I've lived in Oak Park for about 9 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
the quality of life is solid. 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:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Lots of new development happening
- The public transit scene is tough
The downsides:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Property taxes are high
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for families. Definitely worth checking out..
30 upvotes
Leo
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem average.
I've been here 7 years and it exceeded my expectations. The thing nobody mentions is nightlife. It's manageable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the pet-friendliness is legit. And if you're into fishing, this place is improving.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Oak Park side vs the Highland side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
22 upvotes
Evan Nguyen
yeah no that's not right
21 upvotes
Aubrey Long
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value community vibe, you'll love it. The school system is genuinely tough and I've found it's improved dramatically in recent years. My neighborhood (Maple Ridge) is manageable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from LA, be prepared for the culture shock. public transit is completely different here. And Chain restaurants dominate.
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.
20 upvotes
Alexa Cruz
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's exactly what I was looking for. Internet is excellent in most areas.
17 upvotes
Waylon
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is housing market. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Worth doing your research before committing.
14 upvotes
Scarlett Campbell
Totally agree!
8 upvotes
isaiah_living
couldn't agree more
4 upvotes
Julia Johnson
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Internet is underrated in most areas.
3 upvotes
Carter
Came here for my partner's job and stayed because it's exactly what I was looking for. The cost of living is honestly surprisingly good and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
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