Hey everyone, I grew up here but left for a while. Homes are going for about $282,300 on average. Average temperature is around 50--F, so expect cold winters. The suburbs are where most families end up. Would love some local perspective. Thanks for reading. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The weather takes some getting used to.
15 upvotes
4 Replies
sarah_heart
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 3-bedroom. I genuinely enjoy living here. Compared to Dallas it's excellent.
40 upvotes
Hazel
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value school system, you'll love it. The pet-friendliness is genuinely surprisingly good and I've found the quality of life is solid. My neighborhood (Cedar Grove) is reasonable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Nashville, be prepared for the culture shock. outdoor recreation is completely different here. And Homeless population growing downtown.
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.
27 upvotes
Naomi Green
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem better than expected.
I've been here 14 years and it was the best decision I ever made. The thing nobody mentions is safety. It's affordable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the school system is legit. And if you're into skiing, this place is surprisingly good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Oak Park side vs the Fairview side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
17 upvotes
Nathan Ramos
I'm a lawyer and I've found it was the best decision I ever made. The community is decent and there's always something going on.
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