I grew up here but left for a while. With a population of 10,366, Northampton is a small town. Average temperature is around 53--F, so expect cold winters. The median home value here is around $225,400, which is actually reasonable. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. The suburbs are where most families end up. Thanks in advance! Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The city has invested a lot in new development. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The weather takes some getting used to. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Property taxes are high but you get good services. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus.
7 upvotes
15 Replies
Olivia Edwards
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Internet is excellent in most areas.
33 upvotes
Lillian Turner
Weather-wise, the summers are tough and winters are developing. You get used to it after the first year.
32 upvotes
Evelyn T.
facts
32 upvotes
Hannah
lol so true
31 upvotes
sdchef2023
honestly same experience here
30 upvotes
Roman Edwards
Came here for a fresh start and stayed because it's exactly what I was looking for. The food scene is honestly excellent and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
30 upvotes
Mason A.
Hot take but I genuinely enjoy living here. I know a lot of people disagree but after 14 years here, that's my honest assessment.
29 upvotes
Waylon Taylor
We moved here with our family and I love the pace of life here. Schools in Uptown area are tough. Kids love it here.
26 upvotes
Jose R.
Can confirm, been here 1 years.
26 upvotes
Xavier Harris
I've been living here for 15 years and I'd say it's not perfect but it works for me. The job market is pretty good compared to other places I've lived. Overall Would recommend to anyone considering it..
26 upvotes
Ian Adams
Totally agree!
22 upvotes
Carter Martin
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 8 years ago from San Diego 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 Meadowbrook. It's hit or miss for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in retail. If you're in healthcare you might struggle.
People: Generally underrated. It took about 13 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: tough. Tons of options if you like craft beer.
Definitely worth checking out..
16 upvotes
Angel Evans
Bought a house here in 2015 and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
11 upvotes
Sara H.
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 4 years. Moved from Miami for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is average. 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 2-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
construction is strong here. manufacturing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are established for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's exactly what I was looking for. The outdoor scene is tough - 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. Oak Park 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. Nightlife is limited. Dating scene is rough. And school system can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 8/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
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