So, Just moved here 5 months ago and It's a a smaller city city with about 64,504 people. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. What would you do? The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Property taxes are high but you get good services.
30 upvotes
11 Replies
Victoria Green
yeah no that's not right
40 upvotes
Hailey D.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want traffic, then yeah this place is great. But if public transit matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
39 upvotes
Evan
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want public transit, then yeah this place is great. But if nightlife matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
39 upvotes
Evan F.
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 Phoenix for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is hit or miss. We bought in 2015 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
manufacturing is strong here. marketing 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:**
I genuinely enjoy living here. The outdoor scene is solid - we have state parks 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 solid. 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. Summers can be brutally hot. Far from beaches/mountains. And healthcare can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 8/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
34 upvotes
Peyton Ward
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are pretty good, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
32 upvotes
Maya R.
big facts right here
25 upvotes
Colton Gray
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I have mixed feelings honestly. Internet is surprisingly good in most areas.
24 upvotes
Terry W.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in East for 11 years. Moved from Pittsburgh for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is hit or miss. We bought in 2017 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:**
legal is strong here. tech 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 exceeded my expectations. The outdoor scene is underrated - 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. East 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. Limited shopping options. Bugs and humidity in summer. And public transit can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 5/10. It's not for everyone but it works for us.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
21 upvotes
Wyatt H.
My experience has been mostly positive. it's exactly what I was looking for. The only thing I'd watch out for is cost of living. Other than that, Good luck with whatever you decide..
14 upvotes
Samuel Martinez
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 7 years ago from Seattle and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Pine Hills. It's decent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in engineering. If you're in marketing you might struggle.
People: Generally surprisingly good. It took about 9 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: challenging. Tons of options if you like BBQ.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
12 upvotes
Sarah
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Pine Hills for 7 years. Moved from Dallas for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is improving. We bought in 2021 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
hospitality is strong here. manufacturing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are reasonable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it exceeded my expectations. The outdoor scene is pretty 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. Pine Hills schools are better than expected. 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. Summers can be brutally hot. Not very walkable outside downtown. And pet-friendliness can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 5/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
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