Hello, With a population of 10,860, Oak Ridge is a small town. The median home value here is around $417,300, which is pretty steep. Poverty rate is 2.3%, which is pretty low. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. The suburbs are where most families end up. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level.
6 upvotes
15 Replies
Oliver F.
exactly what I was thinking
38 upvotes
Scarlett G.
I've lived in South for about 4 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 Salt Lake City, I was surprised by food scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Four distinct seasons
- The weather scene is better than expected
The downsides:
- Can feel isolated
- Dating scene is rough
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for couples. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
37 upvotes
Sean P.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Internet is solid in most areas.
36 upvotes
Stella Gray
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Old Town for 2 years. Moved from San Diego for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is tough. We bought in 2018 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
construction is strong here. retail is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are pricey for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
the quality of life is solid. The outdoor scene is decent - 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. Old Town 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. Rising rent and home prices. Limited entertainment options. And community vibe can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 5/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
28 upvotes
Melanie Parker
couldn't agree more
28 upvotes
Logan Martin
seconding this
27 upvotes
Weston Rodriguez
good to know, thanks
25 upvotes
Bennett Cruz
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a contractor who relocated here from Phoenix about 3 years ago. The main reasons were weather and a fresh start.
Pros I've experienced:
- Decent public transit for the size
- Active local events and festivals
- Four distinct seasons
Cons that are real:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Rising rent and home prices
Financially, we've found it underrated compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are growing, gas is hit or miss.
Socially, I love the pace of life here. No regrets on my end..
22 upvotes
Christian Brown
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Cedar Grove for 4 years. Moved from Denver for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is underrated. We bought in 2020 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
finance is strong here. hospitality 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:**
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The outdoor scene is solid - we have lakes within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Cedar Grove 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. Limited high-paying job options. Limited shopping options. And job market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 8/10. Would recommend to anyone considering it.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
22 upvotes
Luca James
noted, appreciate it
20 upvotes
Mateo Kim
thanks for sharing
17 upvotes
Nicholas Thomas
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in The Heights for 10 years. Moved from Boston for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is decent. We bought in 2021 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
retail is strong here. healthcare is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are manageable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I genuinely enjoy living here. The outdoor scene is hit or miss - we have hiking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. The Heights 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. Traffic during rush hour is rough. Summers can be brutally hot. And public transit can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 8/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
17 upvotes
Xavier Rodriguez
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value dating scene, you'll love it. The weather is genuinely tough and I've found it exceeded my expectations. My neighborhood (Cedar Grove) is established and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from New York, be prepared for the culture shock. safety is completely different here. And Property taxes are high.
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.
11 upvotes
loving_joseph90
interesting, hadn't considered that
8 upvotes
Hazel Hill
Used to live on the Meadowbrook side, now on the Oak Park side. Completely different vibe. I love the pace of life here.
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