OK so Military spouse here. Crime rate is something to consider -North Olmsted sits at 25.5 per 100K. Average temperature is around 52--F, so expect cold winters. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The suburbs are where most families end up.
16 upvotes
22 Replies
Hailey Gray
hard disagree but ok
38 upvotes
Naomi A.
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are better than expected, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
36 upvotes
Hailey Howard
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want food scene, then yeah this place is great. But if school system matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
32 upvotes
Matthew Brooks
Public transit is better than expected here. You'll probably need a car for most things. the quality of life is solid.
30 upvotes
Gabriel
I've lived in Oak Park for about 1 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. When I first moved here from Dallas, I was surprised by food scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- The outdoor recreation scene is underrated
The downsides:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Homeless population growing downtown
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for young professionals. Feel free to reach out with questions..
29 upvotes
Ian Kim
I've lived in Fairview for about 15 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's not perfect but it works for me. When I first moved here from New York, I was surprised by school system. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- The walkability scene is hit or miss
The downsides:
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
- Far from beaches/mountains
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for remote workers. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
28 upvotes
Caroline G.
Came here for quality of life and stayed because I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The healthcare is honestly tough and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
26 upvotes
Carter Thompson
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want outdoor recreation, then yeah this place is great. But if housing market matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
22 upvotes
Noah James
I work in tech here and I love the pace of life here. The job market for my field is average. Feel free to reach out with questions..
22 upvotes
Peyton Ortiz
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 6 years ago from Boston and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in North. It's decent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in retail. If you're in government you might struggle.
People: Generally excellent. It took about 11 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: underrated. Tons of options if you like Southern.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
19 upvotes
Liam Chavez
yep
19 upvotes
Weston Perez
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 2 years ago from Baltimore and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in East. It's hit or miss for what you get.
Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in marketing. If you're in finance you might struggle.
People: Generally hit or miss. It took about 14 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: surprisingly good. Tons of options if you like Indian.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
15 upvotes
Ruby Johnson
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a teacher who relocated here from Austin about 1 years ago. The main reasons were weather and school.
Pros I've experienced:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Good internet infrastructure
- Close to major attractions
Cons that are real:
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
- Homeless population growing downtown
Financially, we've found it challenging compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are established, gas is pretty good.
Socially, I genuinely enjoy living here. Definitely worth checking out..
15 upvotes
Avery Kim
honestly same experience here
14 upvotes
Robert
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are decent, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
11 upvotes
Aaron L.
interesting, hadn't considered that
10 upvotes
Benjamin P.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want traffic, then yeah this place is great. But if school system matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
4 upvotes
Emilia
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is cultural scene. it's not perfect but it works for me. Worth doing your research before committing.
3 upvotes
Elena Clark
hard disagree but ok
3 upvotes
Nolan
The food scene here is tough. Tons of great Asian places. it was the best decision I ever made.
1 upvotes
Adrian Nguyen
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a accountant, 47, moved here 15 years ago from Houston. I've lived in Eastside and Cedar Grove, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good healthcare facilities
2. Strong job market in several industries
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. Limited high-paying job options
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The healthcare situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Eastside: Great for families. better than expected vibes, walkable.
- Cedar Grove: 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 Houston, everything felt tough. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $90K-$150K here.
**Final verdict:**
Would recommend to anyone considering it.. 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.
1 upvotes
Emilia W.
I've lived in West for about 14 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 Minneapolis, I was surprised by job market. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Lots of new development happening
- The traffic scene is challenging
The downsides:
- Limited public transit options
- Rising rent and home prices
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for retirees. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..