Hi all, You can expect to pay around $1,923 for rent here. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. The suburbs are where most families end up. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Property taxes are high but you get good services.
14 upvotes
11 Replies
Gabriel K.
Public transit is better than expected here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's exactly what I was looking for.
38 upvotes
denverfan2020
this is the way
36 upvotes
Luke R.
noted, appreciate it
36 upvotes
Aubrey Hall
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 14 years ago from LA and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Westside. It's pretty good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in tech. If you're in education you might struggle.
People: Generally solid. It took about 8 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like Italian.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
34 upvotes
Hudson P.
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is pet-friendliness. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Worth doing your research before committing.
32 upvotes
Aaron Young
Hot take but it's been a really good experience overall. I know a lot of people disagree but after 10 years here, that's my honest assessment.
28 upvotes
Joe M.
Weather-wise, the summers are underrated and winters are developing. You get used to it after the first year.
27 upvotes
Aria Robinson
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem challenging.
I've been here 9 years and it's been a really good experience overall. The thing nobody mentions is school system. It's reasonable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the school system is legit. And if you're into biking, this place is improving.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Midtown side vs the The Heights side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
21 upvotes
Michael Lee
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's improved dramatically in recent years. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
18 upvotes
Ryan Martin
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 8 years. Moved from Dallas for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is excellent. We bought in 2018 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:**
government is strong here. real estate is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are wild for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it was the best decision I ever made. The outdoor scene is hit or miss - we have national forests 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. Winters are long and cold. Limited high-paying job options. And healthcare can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 7/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
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