Hi all, Poverty rate is 4.1%, which is pretty low. With a population of 26,888, Oak Forest is a smaller city. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Any advice would be great. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. It's not perfect, but the community is solid.
22 upvotes
11 Replies
Owen
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Downtown for 5 years. Moved from Miami for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is challenging. 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:**
tech is strong here. real estate is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are developing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's exactly what I was looking for. The outdoor scene is underrated - we have desert landscapes within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Downtown schools are pretty 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. Limited high-paying job options. Dating scene is rough. And public transit can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 7/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
40 upvotes
Kinsley R.
Moved here from San Francisco about 4 years ago. it's been a really good experience overall. Still getting used to food scene but Good luck with whatever you decide..
36 upvotes
Aaliyah Lopez
it depends on the neighborhood
27 upvotes
Dominic
Hot take but it's exactly what I was looking for. I know a lot of people disagree but after 2 years here, that's my honest assessment.
22 upvotes
Zoey P.
Used to live on the Cedar Grove side, now on the West side. Completely different vibe. it exceeded my expectations.
19 upvotes
Sarah G.
Hot take but I have mixed feelings honestly. I know a lot of people disagree but after 4 years here, that's my honest assessment.
14 upvotes
Gianna
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want safety, then yeah this place is great. But if cost of living matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
12 upvotes
Declan Harris
lol so true
11 upvotes
Michael Jones
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a teacher who relocated here from Salt Lake City about 3 years ago. The main reasons were my partner's job and family.
Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Lots of new development happening
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
- Limited entertainment options
Financially, we've found it pretty good compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are developing, gas is excellent.
Socially, it's exactly what I was looking for. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
4 upvotes
Asher Miller
I've lived in Downtown for about 8 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 Seattle, I was surprised by traffic. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Lots of new development happening
- The weather scene is pretty good
The downsides:
- Homeless population growing downtown
- Far from beaches/mountains
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for families. Definitely worth checking out..
4 upvotes
Emma
My experience has been mostly positive. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The only thing I'd watch out for is cultural scene. Other than that, Feel free to reach out with questions..
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