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Alice Wood
housing
Affordable areas near Oakley?
I'm a nurse at the local hospital and Poverty rate is 4.9%, which is pretty low. Am I overthinking this? TIA!
9 upvotes
10 Replies
Leonardo Ramirez
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Oak Park for 13 years. Moved from Portland for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is improving. We bought in 2024 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
education is strong here. real estate 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 was the best decision I ever made. The outdoor scene is surprisingly good - we have ski resorts within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Oak Park schools are better than expected. 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. Bugs and humidity in summer. And cultural scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 6/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
I've been in Oak Park for 13 years. Moved from Portland for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is improving. We bought in 2024 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
education is strong here. real estate 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 was the best decision I ever made. The outdoor scene is surprisingly good - we have ski resorts within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Oak Park schools are better than expected. 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. Bugs and humidity in summer. And cultural scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 6/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
36 upvotes
Caroline Richardson
it depends on the neighborhood
32 upvotes
Nathan Kelly
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem improving.
I've been here 7 years and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The thing nobody mentions is weather. It's established and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the weather is legit. And if you're into photography, this place is challenging.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Cedar Grove side vs the South side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
I've been here 7 years and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The thing nobody mentions is weather. It's established and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the weather is legit. And if you're into photography, this place is challenging.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Cedar Grove side vs the South side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
29 upvotes
Easton Taylor
been saying this for years
20 upvotes
Thomas R.
100%
18 upvotes
Wyatt Baker
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 6 years ago from Houston and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Oak Park. It's challenging for what you get.
Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in tech. If you're in engineering you might struggle.
People: Generally underrated. It took about 9 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: better than expected. Tons of options if you like Southern.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Oak Park. It's challenging for what you get.
Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in tech. If you're in engineering you might struggle.
People: Generally underrated. It took about 9 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: better than expected. Tons of options if you like Southern.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
16 upvotes
Oliver R.
following this thread
15 upvotes
Zoe Long
Used to live on the South side, now on the Maple Ridge side. Completely different vibe. the quality of life is solid.
13 upvotes
Lucy Wright
literally same
10 upvotes
Julia Jones
yeah no that's not right
2 upvotes