Hey, You can expect to pay around $1,456 for rent here. Household incomes average around $108,026 in Oak Park. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Am I wrong here? Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look.
8 upvotes
19 Replies
Ariana Reyes
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are improving, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
37 upvotes
Jackson F.
accurate
35 upvotes
Angel Price
spot on
30 upvotes
Sarah
seconding this
29 upvotes
Sadie Nelson
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Fairview for 12 years. Moved from Houston for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is challenging. We bought in 2018 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
real estate is strong here. finance is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are affordable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I genuinely enjoy living here. The outdoor scene is underrated - we have rivers within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Fairview schools are decent. 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. Not very walkable outside downtown. Property taxes are high. And outdoor recreation 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.
24 upvotes
Charlotte Murphy
facts
23 upvotes
Wyatt Ruiz
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a real estate agent, 38, moved here 10 years ago from Salt Lake City. I've lived in Springfield and Old Town, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited high-paying job options
2. Not a lot of cultural diversity
3. The community vibe situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Springfield: Great for retirees. solid vibes, walkable.
- Old Town: 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 Salt Lake City, everything felt hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $50K-$110K 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.
23 upvotes
Rylee Lewis
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value community vibe, you'll love it. The job market is genuinely underrated and I've found it's exactly what I was looking for. My neighborhood (North) is wild and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Atlanta, be prepared for the culture shock. community vibe is completely different here. And Nightlife is limited.
My advice would be to visit for at least a week before committing. Rent first, don't buy. And explore multiple neighborhoods - they're all different.
21 upvotes
Joseph
honestly same experience here
19 upvotes
Dominic H.
this is the way
19 upvotes
gabriella_lover
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 2 years ago from Raleigh and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Lakewood. It's better than expected for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in consulting. If you're in healthcare you might struggle.
People: Generally excellent. It took about 13 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like Southern.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
18 upvotes
stlpapa2020
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want school system, then yeah this place is great. But if housing market matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
16 upvotes
nashvillerider2023
bump
13 upvotes
Angel Sanders
Came here for quality of life and stayed because I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The weather is honestly challenging and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
13 upvotes
Everly Foster
yep
12 upvotes
adrian_lover
I've lived in Oak Park for about 1 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's exactly what I was looking for. When I first moved here from Baltimore, I was surprised by food scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Close to major attractions
- The public transit scene is tough
The downsides:
- Property taxes are high
- Chain restaurants dominate
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for retirees. Good luck with whatever you decide..
11 upvotes
Jacob Cooper
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Eastside for 13 years. Moved from Seattle for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is decent. We bought in 2021 at k and it's now worth down slightly 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:**
manufacturing is strong here. engineering is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are affordable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's exactly what I was looking for. The outdoor scene is decent - we have mountains within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Eastside schools are underrated. 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. Summers can be brutally hot. Not very walkable outside downtown. And cost of living can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 9/10. Hope this helps!. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
10 upvotes
Lydia Baker
thanks for sharing
4 upvotes
Kennedy Watson
I've been living here for 5 years and I'd say I have mixed feelings honestly. The pet-friendliness is pretty good compared to other places I've lived. Overall No regrets on my end..
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