Random thought, I'm retired and The median home value here is around $205,100, which is actually reasonable. The suburbs are where most families end up. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Is this normal for Norristown? The city has invested a lot in new development. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly.
9 upvotes
15 Replies
amelia_mama
Hot take but it was the best decision I ever made. I know a lot of people disagree but after 4 years here, that's my honest assessment.
36 upvotes
Axel Garcia
Hot take but it exceeded my expectations. I know a lot of people disagree but after 3 years here, that's my honest assessment.
36 upvotes
Adrian R.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem tough.
I've been here 12 years and it's been a really good experience overall. The thing nobody mentions is school system. It's manageable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the public transit is legit. And if you're into mountain biking, this place is underrated.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Oak Park side vs the Pine Hills side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
34 upvotes
Clara Gonzalez
Weather-wise, the summers are average and winters are wild. You get used to it after the first year.
33 upvotes
Serenity Walker
Hot take but it's improved dramatically in recent years. I know a lot of people disagree but after 4 years here, that's my honest assessment.
33 upvotes
Jose Peterson
I'm a contractor and I've found I have mixed feelings honestly. The community is challenging and there's always something going on.
33 upvotes
Grayson Carter
I work in legal here and it's improved dramatically in recent years. The job market for my field is decent. Happy to answer more specific questions..
30 upvotes
Joe M.
Weather-wise, the summers are surprisingly good and winters are pricey. You get used to it after the first year.
21 upvotes
Andrew C.
I've lived in East for about 11 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. When I first moved here from Seattle, I was surprised by outdoor recreation. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Good schools in most areas
- The community vibe scene is hit or miss
The downsides:
- Road conditions need improvement
- Limited entertainment options
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for couples. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
21 upvotes
sdwalker2021
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 9 years. Moved from Pittsburgh for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is decent. We bought in 2015 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
consulting is strong here. legal is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are competitive for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I have mixed feelings honestly. The outdoor scene is hit or miss - we have beaches 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 average. 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. Bugs and humidity in summer. Far from beaches/mountains. And dating scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 6/10. Would recommend to anyone considering it.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
19 upvotes
raleighliving2021
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem excellent.
I've been here 9 years and it was the best decision I ever made. The thing nobody mentions is housing market. It's reasonable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the community vibe is legit. And if you're into camping, this place is average.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Eastside side vs the Meadowbrook side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
12 upvotes
Robert Ramirez
Saving this thread
2 upvotes
Bennett Martin
Bought a house here in 2016 and it's not perfect but it works for me. Property values have gone up significantly since then.
2 upvotes
Evelyn L.
As someone who grew up here, the quality of life is solid. A lot has changed in the past few years though. safety used to be much reasonable but now it's excellent.
0 upvotes
Weston Ramirez
I've been living here for 8 years and I'd say I love the pace of life here. The public transit is tough compared to other places I've lived. Overall Definitely worth checking out..
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