So, Homes are going for about $360,100 on average. Household incomes average around $126,807 in North Haven. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood.
3 upvotes
15 Replies
William
nah I disagree
40 upvotes
Harper Walker
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is traffic. it's improved dramatically in recent years. Worth doing your research before committing.
40 upvotes
Hailey Carter
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a teacher who relocated here from New York about 6 years ago. The main reasons were school and family.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good schools in most areas
- Four distinct seasons
- Good airport with direct flights
Cons that are real:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Nightlife is limited
Financially, we've found it tough compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are competitive, gas is solid.
Socially, it's improved dramatically in recent years. No regrets on my end..
39 upvotes
Aubrey Stewart
hmm interesting perspective
37 upvotes
mountain_alexander77
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a lawyer, 41, moved here 2 years ago from Seattle. I've lived in Lakewood and Maple Ridge, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Strong job market in several industries
2. Strong sense of community
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The dating scene situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Lakewood: Great for remote workers. challenging vibes, walkable.
- Maple Ridge: 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 Seattle, everything felt tough. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $90K-$150K here.
**Final verdict:**
No regrets on my end.. 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.
33 upvotes
Joe M.
hmm interesting perspective
25 upvotes
Scarlett Howard
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 12 years. Moved from Minneapolis for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is surprisingly good. We bought in 2019 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. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
retail is strong here. engineering is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are pricey for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's improved dramatically in recent years. The outdoor scene is surprisingly good - 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 decent. 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. Homeless population growing downtown. Bugs and humidity in summer. And school system can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 5/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
24 upvotes
tucsonlocal2021
Moved here last year, no regrets.
24 upvotes
Olivia Garcia
honestly same experience here
23 upvotes
Jameson Stewart
Weather-wise, the summers are average and winters are manageable. You get used to it after the first year.
17 upvotes
Adam
Moved here from LA about 15 years ago. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Still getting used to cultural scene but No regrets on my end..
14 upvotes
Declan Kim
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a project manager who relocated here from Dallas about 7 years ago. The main reasons were family and family.
Pros I've experienced:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Strong job market in several industries
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Limited high-paying job 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 wild, gas is improving.
Socially, it exceeded my expectations. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
11 upvotes
Lucas
yep
7 upvotes
Michael Roberts
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Lakewood for 2 years. Moved from Tampa for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is average. We bought in 2016 at k and it's now worth up significantly 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:**
manufacturing is strong here. hospitality is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are manageable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it was the best decision I ever made. The outdoor scene is surprisingly good - 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. Lakewood schools are surprisingly 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. Traffic during rush hour is rough. Dating scene is rough. And safety can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 9/10. Hope this helps!. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
6 upvotes
Levi White
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 2 years ago from Portland and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Sunset. It's excellent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in hospitality. If you're in real estate you might struggle.
People: Generally surprisingly good. It took about 7 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: challenging. Tons of options if you like Mexican.
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