Hey folks, My family moved here when I was a kid. Crime rate is something to consider -New Brunswick sits at 467.9 per 100K. The unemployment rate is 4.1%, which is about average. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Looking forward to hearing from you all.
25 upvotes
23 Replies
Savannah
literally same
39 upvotes
Ezra Jackson
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 13 years. Moved from Austin for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is excellent. We bought in 2022 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
finance is strong here. manufacturing 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's not perfect but it works for me. The outdoor scene is decent - we have lakes 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 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. Nightlife is limited. Limited shopping options. And housing market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 5/10. Would recommend to anyone considering it.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
39 upvotes
Eli Ward
exactly what I was thinking
34 upvotes
Natalie Martinez
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in East for 1 years. Moved from Austin for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is better than expected. We bought in 2016 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
manufacturing is strong here. government is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are affordable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I love the pace of life here. The outdoor scene is decent - we have mountains within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. East 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. Not very walkable outside downtown. Chain restaurants dominate. And healthcare can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 9/10. Hope this helps!. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
32 upvotes
Luke
accurate
32 upvotes
Eugene F.
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I love the pace of life here. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
32 upvotes
John Davis
Public transit is underrated here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it was the best decision I ever made.
27 upvotes
Genesis
Came here for weather and stayed because it's not perfect but it works for me. The outdoor recreation is honestly tough and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
26 upvotes
Xavier Allen
I've lived in Uptown for about 11 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's not perfect but it works for me. When I first moved here from Phoenix, I was surprised by job market. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Strong job market in several industries
- Good internet infrastructure
- The dating scene scene is average
The downsides:
- Road conditions need improvement
- Homeless population growing downtown
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for young professionals. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
26 upvotes
Nova Jackson
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 4 years ago from Miami and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Greenfield. It's better than expected for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in real estate. If you're in healthcare you might struggle.
People: Generally solid. It took about 18 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: surprisingly good. Tons of options if you like Italian.
Hope this helps!.
25 upvotes
Isaac Reyes
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a writer who relocated here from Charlotte about 10 years ago. The main reasons were retirement and school.
Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Lots of new development happening
- Affordable housing options
Cons that are real:
- Can feel isolated
- Dating scene is rough
Financially, we've found it average compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are developing, gas is better than expected.
Socially, it's not perfect but it works for me. No regrets on my end..
24 upvotes
Stella C.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 11 years ago from New York and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Downtown. It's solid for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in education. If you're in finance you might struggle.
People: Generally pretty good. It took about 8 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: excellent. Tons of options if you like Korean.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
24 upvotes
Lillian Edwards
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem challenging.
I've been here 2 years and it's been a really good experience overall. The thing nobody mentions is food scene. It's manageable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cultural scene is legit. And if you're into rock climbing, this place is excellent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Old Town side vs the West side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
23 upvotes
Janet R.
interesting, hadn't considered that
22 upvotes
Emma S.
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 2-bedroom. I love the pace of life here. Compared to Boston it's surprisingly good.
22 upvotes
Benjamin G.
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is dating scene. I have mixed feelings honestly. Worth doing your research before committing.
22 upvotes
Aurora Walker
hard disagree but ok
21 upvotes
Benjamin Phillips
Hot take but it's not perfect but it works for me. I know a lot of people disagree but after 2 years here, that's my honest assessment.
21 upvotes
Luke Flores
Bought a house here in 2024 and it's exactly what I was looking for. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
10 upvotes
Carter Jones
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 4 years ago from Pittsburgh and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Cedar Grove. It's challenging for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in education. If you're in healthcare you might struggle.
People: Generally challenging. It took about 17 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: challenging. Tons of options if you like farm-to-table.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
4 upvotes
Maya P.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a lawyer, 58, moved here 7 years ago from Minneapolis. I've lived in Lakewood and Meadowbrook, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Decent public transit for the size
2. Lots of new development happening
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Road conditions need improvement
2. Can feel isolated
3. The public transit situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Lakewood: Great for retirees. solid vibes, walkable.
- Meadowbrook: 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 Minneapolis, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $90K-$100K 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.
4 upvotes
Jordan Alvarez
I've lived in East for about 15 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 Nashville, I was surprised by outdoor recreation. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Active local events and festivals
- The healthcare scene is excellent
The downsides:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Limited high-paying job options
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for couples. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
3 upvotes
Mackenzie Ortiz
I'm a physical therapist and I've found it exceeded my expectations. The community is tough and there's always something going on.
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