Alright, I'm originally from New York and Poverty rate is 3.3%, which is pretty low. Homes are going for about $603,700 on average. The unemployment rate is 2.0%, which is pretty low. Crime rate is something to consider -New River sits at 148.1 per 100K. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Property taxes are high but you get good services. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The weather takes some getting used to. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Property taxes are high but you get good services. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods.
9 upvotes
15 Replies
Easton G.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a HR manager who relocated here from Austin about 8 years ago. The main reasons were a fresh start and a job opportunity.
Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Lots of new development happening
- Close to major attractions
Cons that are real:
- Property taxes are high
- Limited shopping options
Financially, we've found it better than expected compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are stable, gas is surprisingly good.
Socially, I genuinely enjoy living here. No regrets on my end..
38 upvotes
Levi White
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a marketing manager who relocated here from Charlotte about 9 years ago. The main reasons were quality of life and weather.
Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Four distinct seasons
- Close to major attractions
Cons that are real:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
Financially, we've found it tough compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are competitive, gas is underrated.
Socially, it's exactly what I was looking for. No regrets on my end..
38 upvotes
Savannah Adams
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want job market, then yeah this place is great. But if job market matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
33 upvotes
Sarah Morgan
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a lawyer, 47, moved here 5 years ago from Nashville. I've lived in North and Oak Park, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good healthcare facilities
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Active local events and festivals
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Can feel isolated
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The dating scene situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- North: Great for singles. pretty good vibes, walkable.
- Oak Park: 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 Nashville, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $60K-$110K here.
**Final verdict:**
Hope this helps!. 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.
29 upvotes
sacramentopapa2025
Saving this thread
28 upvotes
Madeline Cox
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 7 years. Moved from Salt Lake City for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is better than expected. We bought in 2015 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. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
government is strong here. marketing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are established for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it exceeded my expectations. The outdoor scene is surprisingly good - we have biking 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 pretty good. 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. Property taxes are high. Limited shopping options. And cost of living can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 8/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
27 upvotes
Kennedy
I've been living here for 13 years and I'd say the quality of life is solid. The traffic is better than expected compared to other places I've lived. Overall Good luck with whatever you decide..
25 upvotes
Elizabeth T.
not my experience at all
25 upvotes
Abigail Edwards
this is the way
22 upvotes
Violet Price
bump
21 upvotes
Colton Evans
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem hit or miss.
I've been here 13 years and it was the best decision I ever made. The thing nobody mentions is cultural scene. It's reasonable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cultural scene is legit. And if you're into surfing, this place is improving.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Eastside side vs the North side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
13 upvotes
Austin Alvarez
As someone who grew up here, it was the best decision I ever made. A lot has changed in the past few years though. job market used to be much stable but now it's surprisingly good.
12 upvotes
Everett
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 11 years ago from Salt Lake City and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Fairview. It's decent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in consulting. If you're in government you might struggle.
People: Generally excellent. It took about 9 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: better than expected. Tons of options if you like sushi.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
6 upvotes
Piper Sanchez
hard disagree but ok
4 upvotes
Miles F.
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are hit or miss, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
All Countries
