Hi all, Born and raised here. Rent is about $1,354/month for a decent place. It's a a smaller city city with about 29,370 people. Crime rate is something to consider -Oak Park sits at 242.8 per 100K. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Any advice would be great. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. The food scene here is surprisingly good.
0 upvotes
6 Replies
William Lee
spot on
37 upvotes
Sarah C.
facts
35 upvotes
Alexander Hughes
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it was the best decision I ever made. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
28 upvotes
Gianna Bennett
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a data analyst, 54, moved here 8 years ago from Dallas. I've lived in Eastside and Uptown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Four distinct seasons
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Limited shopping options
3. The community vibe situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Eastside: Great for singles. decent vibes, walkable.
- Uptown: 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 Dallas, everything felt solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $80K-$70K 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.
28 upvotes
cora_runner
Moved here from Denver about 7 years ago. I have mixed feelings honestly. Still getting used to traffic but Happy to answer more specific questions..
14 upvotes
Nora Watson
I've been living here for 12 years and I'd say I'm still on the fence after all this time. The traffic is better than expected compared to other places I've lived. Overall Hope this helps!.
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