So, I'm a college student here and Household incomes average around $70,586 in Oakbrook Terrace. You can expect to pay around $1,830 for rent here. Average temperature is around 51--F, so expect cold winters. The city has invested a lot in new development. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The weather takes some getting used to. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The suburbs are where most families end up. The city has invested a lot in new development. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Property taxes are high but you get good services.
14 upvotes
14 Replies
John Brooks
good to know, thanks
40 upvotes
Jameson Anderson
As someone who grew up here, it's exactly what I was looking for. A lot has changed in the past few years though. food scene used to be much established but now it's hit or miss.
37 upvotes
Alexander Long
The food scene here is underrated. Tons of great Mexican places. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now.
35 upvotes
Carter Campbell
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value food scene, you'll love it. The dating scene is genuinely decent and I've found the quality of life is solid. My neighborhood (Cedar Grove) is stable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Tampa, be prepared for the culture shock. outdoor recreation is completely different here. And Traffic during rush hour is rough.
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.
34 upvotes
Ruby Peterson
Bought a house here in 2021 and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
33 upvotes
Cora Long
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 3-bedroom. it was the best decision I ever made. Compared to Dallas it's tough.
31 upvotes
Cameron Cox
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want pet-friendliness, then yeah this place is great. But if outdoor recreation matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
22 upvotes
jaxlocal2026
this is the way
18 upvotes
Grayson M.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 12 years ago from San Diego and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Uptown. It's surprisingly good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in healthcare. If you're in legal you might struggle.
People: Generally underrated. It took about 3 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: underrated. Tons of options if you like Mexican.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
16 upvotes
Weston Taylor
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's exactly what I was looking for. Internet is average in most areas.
14 upvotes
Joseph Howard
interesting, hadn't considered that
12 upvotes
Amelia
I'm a HR manager and I've found I genuinely enjoy living here. The community is solid and there's always something going on.
9 upvotes
Autumn Wright
I've lived in Oak Park for about 14 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I'm still on the fence after all this time. When I first moved here from Tampa, I was surprised by traffic. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Lots of new development happening
- The traffic scene is tough
The downsides:
- Limited high-paying job options
- Dating scene is rough
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for couples. Feel free to reach out with questions..
2 upvotes
Theodore Martinez
As someone who grew up here, I love the pace of life here. A lot has changed in the past few years though. cultural scene used to be much stable but now it's improving.
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