All Countries
Aurora R.
jobs
Best companies to work for in Oak Park?
Curious what people think. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Should I be concerned?
2 upvotes
7 Replies
Adam Scott
I've lived in Uptown for about 15 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I love the pace of life here. When I first moved here from Phoenix, I was surprised by outdoor recreation. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Good healthcare facilities
- The healthcare scene is tough
The downsides:
- Property taxes are high
- Road conditions need improvement
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for young professionals. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
I love the pace of life here. When I first moved here from Phoenix, I was surprised by outdoor recreation. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Good healthcare facilities
- The healthcare scene is tough
The downsides:
- Property taxes are high
- Road conditions need improvement
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for young professionals. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
38 upvotes
lake_serenity17
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a sales manager, 39, moved here 6 years ago from Denver. I've lived in Fairview and Sunset, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Low crime in most neighborhoods
3. Close to major attractions
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Urban sprawl is real
3. The cost of living situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Fairview: Great for remote workers. surprisingly good 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 Denver, everything felt average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $40K-$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.
Background: I'm a sales manager, 39, moved here 6 years ago from Denver. I've lived in Fairview and Sunset, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Low crime in most neighborhoods
3. Close to major attractions
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Urban sprawl is real
3. The cost of living situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Fairview: Great for remote workers. surprisingly good 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 Denver, everything felt average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $40K-$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.
34 upvotes
Austin Gutierrez
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is community vibe. it exceeded my expectations. Worth doing your research before committing.
31 upvotes
Bella Anderson
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a software engineer, 46, moved here 14 years ago from New York. I've lived in Greenfield and South, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Good healthcare facilities
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Urban sprawl is real
3. The nightlife situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Greenfield: Great for retirees. improving vibes, walkable.
- South: 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 New York, everything felt challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $100K-$110K here.
**Final verdict:**
Good luck with whatever you decide.. 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.
Background: I'm a software engineer, 46, moved here 14 years ago from New York. I've lived in Greenfield and South, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Good healthcare facilities
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Urban sprawl is real
3. The nightlife situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Greenfield: Great for retirees. improving vibes, walkable.
- South: 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 New York, everything felt challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $100K-$110K here.
**Final verdict:**
Good luck with whatever you decide.. 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.
28 upvotes
Nevaeh Cook
Public transit is surprisingly good here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I genuinely enjoy living here.
25 upvotes
Katherine Peterson
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 15 years ago from Seattle and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Highland. It's surprisingly good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is manageable right now, especially in real estate. If you're in finance you might struggle.
People: Generally underrated. It took about 5 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: solid. Tons of options if you like Southern.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Highland. It's surprisingly good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is manageable right now, especially in real estate. If you're in finance you might struggle.
People: Generally underrated. It took about 5 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: solid. Tons of options if you like Southern.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
21 upvotes
Santiago Roberts
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I have mixed feelings honestly. Happy to answer more specific questions..
13 upvotes