Hello, My family moved here when I was a kid. The median home value here is around $323,600, which seems about average. The city has invested a lot in new development. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Would love some local perspective. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus.
1 upvotes
13 Replies
Charles C.
Came here for a fresh start and stayed because it's improved dramatically in recent years. The outdoor recreation is honestly better than expected and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
37 upvotes
Elena Miller
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a marketing manager, 29, moved here 12 years ago from Houston. I've lived in Riverside and Sunset, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Close to major attractions
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Nightlife is limited
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The dating scene situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Riverside: Great for families. average vibes, walkable.
- Sunset: 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 improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $70K-$150K here.
**Final verdict:**
It's not for everyone but it works for us.. 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.
31 upvotes
Hailey Thomas
I've lived in Oak Park for about 1 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's improved dramatically in recent years. When I first moved here from Raleigh, I was surprised by walkability. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Good schools in most areas
- The public transit scene is solid
The downsides:
- Can feel isolated
- Far from beaches/mountains
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for retirees. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
30 upvotes
Julian Morris
Bought a house here in 2018 and I genuinely enjoy living here. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
29 upvotes
Ian H.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem excellent.
I've been here 10 years and it was the best decision I ever made. The thing nobody mentions is pet-friendliness. It's manageable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the weather is legit. And if you're into fishing, this place is improving.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Sunset side vs the Springfield side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
21 upvotes
Nora
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem hit or miss.
I've been here 5 years and I genuinely enjoy living here. The thing nobody mentions is nightlife. It's manageable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the healthcare is legit. And if you're into golfing, this place is excellent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The South side vs the Uptown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
19 upvotes
sacramentovibes2022
Bought a house here in 2016 and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Property values have gone about the same since then.
19 upvotes
vegas_ethan
spot on
15 upvotes
Nolan
good to know, thanks
14 upvotes
Serenity Jones
been saying this for years
11 upvotes
Chloe F.
I work in consulting here and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The job market for my field is challenging. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
7 upvotes
Scarlett Gomez
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem improving.
I've been here 11 years and it's not perfect but it works for me. The thing nobody mentions is traffic. It's growing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the weather is legit. And if you're into biking, this place is surprisingly good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The West side vs the Riverside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
4 upvotes
Peyton Morales
I've lived in North for about 13 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 Phoenix, I was surprised by safety. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Good healthcare facilities
- The public transit scene is surprisingly good
The downsides:
- Limited public transit options
- Winters are long and cold
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for retirees. No regrets on my end..
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